As well as all the fictional examples ("soylent green", "NU-food"*) there have been several real-life attempts at food synthesis. This is nothing new. I remember reading something about
"Chlorella", attempts to create a new wonder-food based on algae, in the 1940s and 1950s. Not sure if this is connected with Pruteen. Apparently it never caught on...
The difference with Quorn is that, for for all the carping and occasional allergic problems, it is
successful. Most people who try it, eat it with no problems and enjoy it. If it weren't for that, the major supermarkets would stop stocking it. Most of the anti-Quorn campaigning stems from
this organisation which is an American meat-industry-sponsored lobby group...
*
as developed at Grimbledon Down. For years I have lamented the closure of that excellent establishment.