What Technological and Economic Elements Must be Addressed to Support the Affordability, Accessibility, and Desirability of Alternative Proteins in Low- and Middle-Income Countries?

Populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) typically consume less than the recommended daily amount of protein. Alternative protein (AP) sources could help combat malnutrition, but this requires careful consideration of elements needed to further establish AP products in LMIC. Key considerations include technological, nutritional, safety, social, and economic challenges. This perspective analyzes these considerations in achieving dietary diversity in LMIC, using a combination of traditional and novel protein sources with high nutritional value, namely soy, mycoprotein and cultivated meat. Technological approaches to modulate the techno-functionality and bitter off-tastes of plant-sourced proteins facilitate processing and ensure consumer acceptance. Economic considerations for inputs, infrastructure for production and transportation represent key elements to scale-up AP. Dietary diversification is indispensable and LMIC cannot rely on plant proteins alone to provide adequate protein intake in a sustainable way. Investments in infrastructure and innovation are urgently needed to offer diverse sources of protein in LMIC. This perspective assesses the current technological, economic, and social factors needed to effectively establish diverse alternative dietary proteins, including plant-based proteins, mycoproteins, and cultivated meat, and mitigate protein deficiency in low- and middle-income countries.