Today, debates around food are often framed in binary terms – animal versus plant-based, traditional versus innovative, natural versus artificial, sustainable versus unsustainable. Yet food systems are inherently complex, and the real challenge is not substitution, but balance. This was the key message addressed during the Onfoods event “Proteins: Always Essential, Now Alternative”, promoted by the University of Parma and the University of Pavia.

Balance is the most useful method to discuss the future of proteins. Food is never just one thing: it combines biology, culture, territory, economy, identity, environmental impact, and individual choice. Oversimplifying this complexity into rigid categories risks weakening both scientific understanding and effective policymaking.

The Role of Animal Proteins and the Value of Context

Animal proteins have historically played a central role in human development, providing high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamin B12, heme iron, zinc, and other nutrients crucial for growth, metabolism, and cognitive function. Recognizing this does not imply encouraging excessive consumption, but rather acknowledging their role within a balanced diet and their deep connection to cultural and territorial contexts.

This is particularly evident in countries like Italy, where animal-based products are closely linked to local supply chains, rural landscapes, traditional knowledge, and economic value. Meat, dairy, and eggs are not merely sources of nutrition, but elements embedded in communities and production systems. Reducing them to a problem to be eliminated would overlook this broader dimension.

Innovation, Regulation, and the Need for Balance

At the same time, innovation represents a fundamental opportunity and should not be rejected. Novel foods, alternative proteins, and emerging technologies such as precision fermentation can contribute to strengthening food security, resilience, and sustainability. However, these solutions should be evaluated through rigorous scientific assessment – neither embraced uncritically for their novelty nor dismissed due to unfamiliarity.

In this context, balance becomes a guiding principle. It does not mean positioning midway between opposing views, but rather assessing each option based on clear criteria: safety, nutritional value, environmental impact, accessibility, cultural acceptance, and freedom of choice. Public regulation also plays a crucial role: it should ensure safety, transparency, and consumer trust, while allowing space for responsible innovation to develop.

Ultimately, the future of proteins will not be defined by a single solution or by replacement strategies alone. It will depend on plurality, quality, personalization, and informed choices. The key question is not which source should prevail, but how different protein sources can coexist and contribute to healthier populations, more resilient food systems, and a more balanced future.