The XPRIZE ‘Feed the Next Billion’ global competition in Abu Dhabi has reached its final phase, with about 300 residents participating in taste-testing alternative protein options for chicken and fish. Six teams from various countries are competing to provide sustainable and innovative solutions in replicating or outperforming conventional chicken and fish in areas like access, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, nutrition, taste, and texture. The residents were tasked to taste-test three different sets of samples, including non-veg and non-meat alternatives, to help the judging panel of experts in selecting the winner to be announced on October 30.
The teams from China, Argentina, South Korea, Canada, Austria, and Estonia have sent their food samples to Abu Dhabi for the taste testing, where residents were selected by a market research and consulting firm to provide their insights on the products. The competition aims to find protein alternatives that are scalable for global distribution and can provide safe and affordable food options for people worldwide. The samples were cut by chefs to resemble non-veg pieces, and the residents had to evaluate taste, nutrition, smell, and other factors before answering about 20 questions to help identify sustainable and innovative solutions.
The finalists include teams like CellX from China, Eternal from Argentina, PlantEat from South Korea, ProFillet from Canada, Revo Foods from Austria, and TFTAK from Estonia, each offering unique alternative protein solutions. Chef Francisco Araya, the director at the International Centre for Culinary Arts, noted that it’s a tough call to pick a winner as the samples closely resemble the real product. The final round of competition will evaluate the structure, preparation, cookability, and sensory analysis of the samples to determine the overall similarity to their animal-origin counterparts.
The global competition was launched in partnership with ASPIRE and the Tony Robbins Foundation to address the growing demand for sustainable and alternative food sources as the global population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. With the urgent need for innovative solutions in food security, the competition aims to showcase the potential of innovation in addressing global food supply challenges. The dedication and ingenuity of the participating teams in developing alternative proteins will play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient global food system.
ASPIRE CEO Stephane Timpano emphasized the importance of urgent and innovative solutions in addressing the global challenge of food security, while XPRIZE CEO Anousheh Ansari highlighted the competition’s role in showcasing innovation’s potential to address pressing global food supply issues. The competition aims to find protein alternatives that replicate or outperform conventional chicken and fish in critical areas, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient global food system. With the final phase underway, the participating teams are expected to showcase their breakthroughs in alternative proteins, shaping the future of food production and consumption worldwide.
