India faces a dual challenge- persistent malnutrition alongside rising lifestyle diseases. The next stage of food evolution involves functional foods and smart proteins, which promise better nutrition, sustainability, and innovation in food systems.

What is Functional Foods?

• Definition: It is conventional foods enriched or fortified to provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition — e.g., vitamin-enriched rice, omega-3-fortified milk.
• Technologies Used: Nutrigenomics (gene-nutrition interaction), biofortification, 3D food printing, and bioprocessing.
• Examples in India:
  • Zinc-enriched rice (IIRR, Hyderabad)
  • Iron-rich pearl millet (ICRISAT)

What are Smart Proteins?

• Definition: Proteins produced through biotechnology to reduce dependence on livestock.
• Types:
  • Plant-based proteins: Extracts from legumes, cereals, oilseeds mimicking animal meat/dairy.
  • Fermentation-derived proteins: Microbial systems producing dairy/meat analogues.
  • Cultivated meat: Animal cells grown in bioreactors without slaughter.
• Global Trend:
  • Singapore (2020):  first to approve cultivated chicken.
  • China  is integrating alternative proteins into its food security strategy.
  • The EU is investing via “Farm to Fork” strategy.

Why India Needs Nutritional Transformation?

• Nutritional Security: India faces a triple burden of malnutrition — undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and lifestyle-related obesity.
  • Over one-third of children stunted {>33% (NFHS-5)}; Food diversity gap: Protein deficiency: urban-rural divide in protein intake. Widespread especially in rural areas.

• • Heavy reliance on cereals; low fruit, vegetable, and protein intake.
• Shift in Demand: From calorie sufficiency → nutrient-rich diets.
• Policy Reorientation: From food security to nutritional security, aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Sustainability Imperative: Avoiding environmental degradation amid rising food demand.
  • Agriculture contributes ~18% of India’s GHG emissions; the livestock sector adds further strain.
• Market Potential: Global plant-based food market projected at $85–240 billion by 2030.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

The Way Forward

• Regulatory Framework: Need Clear FSSAI guidelines, safety norms, and labelling standards.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Research and Investment to scale biomanufacturing and indigenise fermentation technologies .
  • Private players like Tata, ITC, Marico investing in fortified staples.
• Skill Development: Upskilling workforce for new food industries.
• Public Awareness: Transparent communication to build trust in biotech foods.
• Farmer Inclusion: Integrate farmers into value chains for equitable growth.

DOWNLOAD PDF