NEWS: Sen. Schiff Introduces Legislation to Help America Meet Protein Demand by Expanding Research and Domestic Manufacturing Investments in Protein Innovation

Legislation would expand domestic manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, open new markets for farmers, increase food and protein security, ensure U.S. does not fall behind in emerging industry

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act (PROTEIN Act), legislation to make a strategic federal investment in protein innovation through boosted support for research, workforce development, and domestic manufacturing capacity.

Global demand for meat is projected to double by 2050, but the United States currently lacks the infrastructure, workforce, and research pipeline to meet that exploding demand for protein sustainably. Senator Schiff's bill seeks to ensure the United States doesn't fall behind and makes critical investments in meeting protein demands for the future through improved and expanded innovation.

"Right now in America, it seems all anyone can talk about is protein, but the exploding demand for it is not something our current food system will be able to meet. Investing in protein innovation, which is already supporting thousands of jobs in California and across the U.S., will help us meet those needs while investing in a climate-friendly food system and positioning the U.S. as a global leader in a growing market that will create new revenue opportunities for American producers," said Senator Schiff.

"Protein innovation is an emerging but essential pillar of the U.S. bioeconomy that is critical to strengthening food security and addressing the climate crisis," said Congresswoman Brownley. "While the United States has driven important breakthroughs in this field, countries like China and Canada are outpacing our investments in this cutting-edge technology. As global demand for meat continues to grow, we must diversify our protein sources to strengthen domestic supply chains and expand choices for American consumers. By investing in protein innovation, we can create thousands of high-paying jobs, bolster food security, confront the climate crisis, and reassert U.S. leadership in this rapidly growing industry. The PROTEIN Act does exactly that, making it a win-win-win for our economy, our climate, and our future."

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Calif-26.) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill is also co-sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

The United States is falling behind in public investment in protein innovation research and development, with other countries dramatically ramping up their investment in this industry. The plant-based food sector alone already supports over 55,000 American jobs, and the broader protein innovation industry could create up to 10 million jobs globally by 2050.

In the United States, California is the epicenter of protein innovation-home to more than 150 companies focused on plant-based, cultivated, and other alternatives, making up nearly one-third of the entire U.S. sector. The PROTEIN Act also presents an opportunity to create new markets for Californian and American farmers.

Specifically, the PROTEIN Act would:

• Establish at least 3 research centers of excellence for alternative protein innovation
• Create a new USDA research program on protein security focused on biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, and converting underutilized biomass into high-value ingredients
• Launch a Food Biomanufacturing Grant Program to build and scale domestic production capacity
• Establish a Bioworkforce Development Grant Program to train workers, fund scholarships, and support regional economic development in this emerging sector
• Require a National Strategy on Protein Security-a whole-of-government plan coordinating various federal agencies

This legislation is endorsed by Food Solutions Action and the Good Food Institute.

"The Good Food Institute commends Senator Schiff and Representative Brownley for their strong commitment to securing a more prosperous and resilient future for food and agriculture. The PROTEIN Act would position America as the global leader in food biomanufacturing for generations to come, building on years of groundbreaking innovation happening in the Golden State and across the heartland," said Pepin Tuma, Vice President, Good Food Institute.

"The PROTEIN Act takes a proactive, whole-of-government approach to securing America's food future. By investing in critical infrastructure, expanding domestic production, and increasing consumer choice it positions the U.S. to lead in food innovation for decades to come," said Mike Ryan, Vice President, Food Solutions Action.

"PBFI applauds Senator Schiff and Representative Brownley for advancing the PROTEIN Act which will maintain the United States' leadership in food security and innovation. By creating a USDA protein security research program and dedicated protein innovation centers, this bill will generate long-term opportunities for farmers, food workers, and rural communities. Plant-based companies and researchers in particular have been waiting for programs like this to lower the risk of scaling up, build shared infrastructure instead of one-off projects, and move promising ideas from the field to full-scale production here at home," said Sanah Baig, Executive Director, Plant Based Foods Institute.

"The PROTEIN Act recognizes that the future of protein is a national food security and competitiveness issue. This bill will help close the gap between promising breakthroughs and real-world deployment in U.S. communities. A significant percentage of the alternative protein industry is currently located in the US with the potential to be a huge economic driver for this country. However, growth and commercialization will be dependent on establishing a vibrant research ecosystem solving the industry's commercialization hurdles, a highly trained workforce, and a network of infrastructure-rich centers for scale up. For our students, faculty, and the growing US industry, the PROTEIN Act would catalyze this development here at home," said Professor David Block, University of California-Davis & Center Director, Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein (iCAMP).

"Global protein demand is rising faster than our current food technologies can sustainably meet, and the science is clear that we need diversified approaches. The PROTEIN Act's federal investments in biomanufacturing research and infrastructure will help bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and commercial-scale production," said Galina Hale, Professor of Economics and Coastal Science and Policy, University of California at Santa Cruz.

"The evidence increasingly shows that sustainable protein diversification will require coordinated public investment in both research infrastructure and scaling pathways. The PROTEIN Act takes a data-driven approach-funding rigorous science at research institutions while building the commercial bridge that's often missing between promising findings and real-world food systems impact," said Maya B. Mathur, PhD, Associate Professor, Stanford University.

"The scientific fundamentals for creating high-quality alternative proteins are well established, but translating these discoveries into commercially viable products at scale requires significant infrastructure investment. The PROTEIN Act's focus on research centers, biomanufacturing facilities, and dedicated USDA programs will accelerate the development of next-generation plant-based and hybrid foods. This comprehensive federal strategy addresses the critical bottleneck between laboratory innovation and market-ready products that can actually feed people sustainably," said D. Julian McClements, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Food Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

"The PROTEIN Act invests in the research and workforce development America needs to lead in next-generation agriculture. This legislation will help universities continue our good work by expanding training pipelines, deepening collaboration with farmers and producers, and advancing technologies critical to food security and supply-chain resilience," said David Kaplan, Distinguished Professor, Biology, Tufts University.

"The PROTEIN Act's comprehensive approach-combining Centers of Excellence, demonstration facilities, and workforce development-creates the essential ecosystem for scaling biomanufacturing innovations from promising laboratory concepts to market-ready solutions that can meet global food security challenges. This isn't just about supporting research; it's about building the pathways that ensure discoveries actually reach the people who need them," said Robert Cunningham, Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement, Wyss Institute at Harvard University.

"AMPS strongly supports this landmark effort to ensure the United States sustains its strategic leadership in the global bioeconomy and food innovation. Protein diversification is not only essential to modernizing our food system, it is the cornerstone of reducing dependence on foreign markets and securing resilient supply chains. This forward-looking policy lays the foundation for a stronger American economy and lasting food security at home and abroad, positioning the U.S. to lead for decades to come," said Suzi Gerber, Executive Director, Association for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation.

"Passing the PROTEIN Act would help ensure that America continues to lead in agricultural and biotech innovation. Other countries are investing heavily in this space, and we need to keep pace," said Paul Shapiro, Co-Founder, Fungi Protein Association.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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