Netherlands and France advance protein and nutrition collaboration under Innovation Pact framework

The Netherlands and France have deepened collaboration on future food systems through a joint effort spanning alternative proteins and nutrition-led health research, as part of the broader Dutch-French Innovation Pact.

• The Netherlands and France advanced collaboration under the Dutch-French Innovation Pact, focusing on alternative proteins and the role of food in healthy ageing.
• A Dutch delegation traveled to France for a protein innovation mission, resulting in new partnerships, follow-up actions and market insights.
• Danone, Utrecht University and French institutions signed a Letter of Intent to develop joint research programs on nutrition, health and ageing.

The latest activity sits within a wider bilateral agreement signed in April 2023, when President Emmanuel Macron visited the Netherlands. The pact, backed by governments and industry groups VNO-NCW and MEDEF, was designed to accelerate innovation by aligning public and private investment, strengthening cooperation, and speeding the transition from research to real-world application.

Within that framework, food systems have emerged as a key area of focus, reflecting growing pressure across Europe to address sustainability, health outcomes and supply resilience in tandem.

A central element of the collaboration is an innovation mission centered on protein diversification. A delegation of Dutch companies and knowledge institutions traveled to France to explore developments in alternative proteins, including plant-based and other emerging sources seen as critical to reducing the environmental footprint of food production.

Participants reported that the mission led to new contacts and tangible follow-up actions, spanning multiple areas of the protein transition. The engagement also provided insights into the pace and direction of development in France, while helping companies assess opportunities for expansion into new markets.

Beyond immediate commercial outcomes, the mission served as a platform for aligning strategies and identifying areas where cross-border collaboration could accelerate progress. It also offered participants a clearer view of how future Dutch policy may support protein innovation, linking industry activity more closely with national and European priorities.

The protein mission reflects a broader shift in how food innovation is being approached, moving away from isolated efforts toward more coordinated, multi-stakeholder initiatives. Within the Innovation Pact, this coordination is intended to avoid duplication, pool expertise and increase the scale and impact of innovation efforts.

Alongside the protein-focused work, the Netherlands and France have launched a second track centered on the intersection of nutrition, health and ageing. This strand recognizes that future food systems must address not only environmental sustainability but also the health needs of ageing populations.

A key milestone came on 17 March 2026, during a visit by French Ambassador François Alabrune to Danone’s Global Research and Innovation Center in Utrecht. The French Embassy, Utrecht University and Danone Research and Innovation signed a Letter of Intent to formalize cooperation in this area.

The agreement set out a shared ambition to combine expertise in nutrition and health research, with the aim of contributing to a more resilient and sustainable food system across Europe. Plans include the development of joint research programs, the exchange of students and early-career researchers, and stronger links between public and private sector actors.

Several French research institutions, including AgroParisTech, INRAE and L’Institut Agro, have already expressed interest in joining the initiative, with additional partners from both countries expected to follow.

The collaboration reflects a growing recognition that nutrition science, food innovation and health outcomes are increasingly interconnected. By linking protein research with broader health-focused initiatives, the partnership aims to generate solutions that are both sustainable and aligned with long-term wellbeing.

The Innovation Pact itself provides the structure for this kind of integrated approach. It brings together companies, research organizations and policymakers through working groups and joint programs, focusing on areas where urgency is high and international competition is intensifying.

Food security and agricultural innovation sit alongside themes such as climate, energy transition, digitalization and key enabling technologies, including semiconductors and photonics. The inclusion of food within this broader agenda highlights its strategic importance, both in terms of sustainability and economic resilience.

The pact also emphasizes the need to strengthen Europe’s position by reducing reliance on non-European supply chains and accelerating the development of domestic capabilities. In the context of food systems, this translates into a greater focus on regional production, alternative proteins and innovations that can support more resilient supply networks.

Industry involvement is central to this approach. Companies such as Danone play a key role in bridging the gap between research and market deployment, ensuring that innovations developed within academic and research settings can be translated into products and processes at scale.

At the same time, the participation of universities and research institutes ensures that scientific expertise underpins these efforts, particularly in areas such as nutrition, microbiology and food technology.

The dual focus on proteins and health reflects broader shifts in consumer expectations. Demand is growing for foods that deliver both environmental and functional benefits, including improved nutrition and support for long-term health. This is particularly relevant in the context of ageing populations, where diet is increasingly seen as a key factor in maintaining quality of life.

By aligning efforts across these domains, the Netherlands and France are seeking to create a more cohesive innovation ecosystem, where advances in one area can support progress in others.

As the collaboration develops, attention is likely to turn toward implementation, including the translation of research into new products, improved nutritional solutions and scalable production systems. The involvement of both public and private actors is expected to be critical in ensuring that these outcomes can be delivered effectively.

The latest developments under the Innovation Pact suggest that cross-border collaboration is becoming an increasingly important tool in addressing complex challenges within food systems. Rather than focusing on isolated innovations, the approach brings together multiple disciplines and stakeholders, reflecting the scale and interconnected nature of the issues involved.