Pinduoduo backs first of its kind study by Singapore researchers on health impact of plant-based meats
May 26 2021 - 6:39AM
Plant-based proteins have exploded into the public consciousness in
recent years, with proponents touting their benefits for the
environment and animal welfare. But are these products good for
consumers?
To try and quantify the impact on human health, Pinduoduo,
China’s leading agricultural platform, has teamed up with the
Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) to
conduct a study that aims to determine the nutritional impact from
replacing traditional animal proteins with plant-based
proteins.
This study will be the first of its kind to focus specifically
on novel plant-based meats and their impact on human health. This
sets it apart from broader research looking at the health impact of
plant-based diets. As these novel foods become more commonplace,
consumer education and information about nutrition also needs to
keep up. Pinduoduo and SIFBI signed the research project agreement
on 26th May.
"It's often said that we are what we eat, but increasingly, we
have come to realize that our planet also depends on what and how
we eat," said Xin Yi Lim, Executive Director of Sustainability and
Agricultural Impact at Pinduoduo. "Personal decisions about food
and diet have a collective impact on public health and the
environment. We hope that by facilitating and sharing nutritional
research, we can all make more informed decisions that are right by
us and the environment.”
The nutrition study marks the second collaboration between
Pinduoduo and SIFBI, part of Singapore’s Agency for Science,
Technology and Research (A*STAR). Last year, the two parties
embarked on a project to develop a more portable and lower-cost
test for pesticide residues for produce, with the aim of improving
consumer confidence and food safety.
Pinduoduo sold more than $40 billion worth of agricultural
products in China through its marketplace last year. The research
projects are part of its broader objective to safeguard the quality
and safety of the food bought by the 824 million consumers who shop
on its platform.
By conducting the plant-based protein nutrition research in
multiracial Singapore, researchers will be able to study whether
different ethnic groups respond differently to plant-based novel
proteins. Singapore also has a growing range of plant-based protein
products available.
Professor Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, Senior Advisor at SIFBI
and Principal Investigator for the study said, “As Asian consumers
become more educated and affluent, and hence demand more
plant-based proteins, many food and nutrition companies are
responding by developing alternative protein food products. Human
nutrition is a complex field, and we need more studies that look
holistically at the nutritional impact of these food products over
time, to inform the food industry of its potential benefits or the
need for reformulation. SIFBI is pleased to be part of this
partnership with Pinduoduo that can help anchor Singapore’s
position as a leading innovation hub for high-value novel
foods.”
In the coming months, SIFBI researchers will survey subjects in
Singapore for comparative studies examining the nutritional and
health impacts of substituting traditional animal proteins with
plant-based proteins over various time periods.
About Pinduoduo Inc.
Pinduoduo is a mobile-only marketplace that connects millions of
agricultural producers with consumers across China. Pinduoduo aims
to bring more businesses and people into the digital economy so
that local communities can benefit from the increased productivity
and convenience through new market opportunities.
For more information on Pinduoduo news and industry trends,
please visit the content hub at
https://stories.pinduoduo-global.com/.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Pinduoduo Inc.
internationalmedia@pinduoduo.com
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