Food, health and sustainability: the Netherlands and France are jointly building the food system of the future

How can we ensure that people age healthily and that our food system plays an active role in this process? This is one of the key challenges facing both the Netherlands and France. Within the Dutch‑French Innovation Pact, the two countries are working on solutions along two tracks: an innovation mission focused on proteins and plant‑based protein sources, and a new collaboration at the intersection of nutrition, health and ageing.

Protein innovation mission

As part of the Innovation Pact, a delegation of Dutch companies and knowledge institutions travelled to France for an innovation mission focused on alternative proteins — protein sources that are key to the transition towards a more sustainable food system.

Participants particularly valued the contacts within the delegation and with French partners, which have resulted in concrete follow‑up actions and new collaborations across multiple themes. The mission provided valuable insights into developments in the protein transition in France and offered inspiration for business strategy and concrete opportunities. It also proved to be an effective way to explore new markets for geographical expansion, acted as a catalyst for collaboration among participants, and provided better insight into how future Dutch policy agendas may support this field.

Letter of Intent: Danone, Utrecht University and French partners

On 17 March 2026, cooperation in the field of food and health took a concrete step forward. During a visit by French Ambassador François Alabrune to Danone’s Global Research & Innovation Center in Utrecht, the French Embassy, Utrecht University and Danone Research & Innovation signed a Letter of Intent.

The Letter of Intent marks a shared ambition to pool knowledge and capacity in the areas of nutrition, health and healthy ageing, thereby contributing to a more vital and sustainable food system in Europe.

Specifically, the parties aim to establish joint research programmes, promote the exchange of students and early‑career researchers, and strengthen public‑private cooperation. Several French research institutions, including AgroParisTech, INRAE and L’Institut Agro, have already expressed interest in joining. Other Dutch and French partners are also invited to contribute to this initiative.

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