Comparing meat alternatives for a sustainable food system

Tom Bry-Chevalier
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Tom Bry-Chevalier: BETA - Bureau d'Économie Théorique et Appliquée - AgroParisTech - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg - Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) - Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar - UL - Université de Lorraine - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, CEC - Chaire Economie du Climat - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres

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Abstract: This scoping review evaluates the potential of four alternative protein sources (plant-based meats, cultivated meat, insects, and single-cell proteins) to contribute to a sustainable food system. Using a holistic framework, each option is assessed across four dimensions: environmental impact, production scalability, consumer acceptability, and animal welfare. Plant-based meats rank highest, with established infrastructure, growing consumer acceptance, and substantial environmental benefits. Single-cell proteins show promise despite scalability uncertainties, while cultivated meat faces significant technical and economic challenges. Insect-based proteins encounter barriers across all dimensions, including limited environmental advantages and widespread consumer rejection. This multidimensional comparative analysis supports prioritizing plant-based meats in policy and investment strategies while highlighting critical research needs for emerging alternatives, demonstrating the value of systematic head-to-head comparisons in guiding resource allocation for sustainable food system transitions.

Date: 2026-02-25
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Published in npj Science of Food, 2026, 10 (1), pp.119. ⟨10.1038/s41538-025-00694-3⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05650672

DOI: 10.1038/s41538-025-00694-3

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