Every figure in this report is published, and every one of them is sourced. Where a number is derived, the arithmetic is shown so you can check it. Where a number would be needed and does not exist in the public record, that is stated rather than filled in.
What the three papers settled, and the question they left open
The first three parts of the Protein Series ran over five days in June 2026. Between them they established three things that are no longer seriously in dispute.
Protein has left the gym. NielsenIQ recorded protein-based food sales up 9.6 percent in the 26 weeks to late January 2026, against total FMCG growth of 4 percent. Tastewise UK panel data put high-protein interest up 38.3 percent year on year. The products carrying that growth are not sports nutrition formats; they are Greek yoghurt, skyr, cottage cheese, eggs and chicken. Cottage cheese alone grew 41.9 percent in value to £102.2 million in the 52 weeks to 28 December 2025.
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Published by The Dairy Mail, Dairy Connect: https://www.dairy-connect.com/the-dairy-mail/the-unclaimed-protein/
