What's Happening?
Senator Adam Schiff has introduced the Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition (PROTEIN) Act in the US Senate. This bill aims to direct federal funding towards research, manufacturing, and workforce development
in the protein innovation sector. The legislation is designed to increase domestic capacity for producing alternative protein sources, such as plant-based and cultivated products. The bill proposes the establishment of at least three federally recognized research centers of excellence focused on food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing. It also includes a USDA research program dedicated to protein security and various initiatives to scale up domestic production capabilities. The bill outlines annual appropriations through fiscal year 2030, including $15 million for Centers of Excellence, $10 million for USDA-led protein security research, $50 million for a Food Biomanufacturing Grant Program, and $25 million for a Bioworkforce Development Grant Program.
Why It's Important?
The PROTEIN Act addresses the growing global demand for meat, projected to double by 2050, which current food systems are not equipped to meet sustainably. By investing in biomanufacturing and workforce development, the bill aims to reduce reliance on foreign agricultural inputs, improve supply chain resilience, and strengthen the US bioeconomy. California, home to a significant portion of US companies in the alternative protein sector, stands to benefit greatly from this legislation. The bill could position the US as a global leader in food biomanufacturing, potentially reducing financial and operational risks for companies in the sector. Industry groups and academic institutions have expressed support, highlighting the need for infrastructure investment to translate scientific discoveries into commercially viable products.
What's Next?
A companion bill is being introduced in the House by Congresswoman Julia Brownley, with co-sponsorship from Senator Alex Padilla in the Senate. If enacted, the PROTEIN Act would amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, creating new frameworks for funding and regulation in the protein innovation sector. The bill's passage would require coordination between multiple government agencies, including the USDA, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, FDA, and EPA, to implement a national strategy on protein security.
