The Hindu: Published on 10th November 2025.
Why in News?
India’s food and nutrition system is undergoing a major change. The focus is shifting from simply ensuring that people have enough to eat (food security) to ensuring that what they eat is nourishing and balanced (nutritional security). With growing awareness about health, biotechnology-based foods such as functional foods and smart proteins have come into the spotlight.
Government agencies like the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are actively funding research and innovation in these areas to make India nutritionally secure and globally competitive.
Background:
For decades, India’s priority was to fight hunger and ensure food availability through programmes like the Public Distribution System (PDS). However, despite these efforts, malnutrition and protein deficiency persist — over one-third of Indian children are stunted.
Now, as the economy grows and lifestyles change, people expect food that not only satisfies hunger but also promotes health. This has led to the emergence of functional and smart foods — which promise to combine nutrition, technology, and sustainability.
Key Concepts Explained:
Functional Foods
Functional foods are foods that are fortified or enriched to offer additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They may help prevent diseases or improve general well-being. Examples include vitamin-enriched rice, omega-3 fortified milk, zinc-enriched rice developed at IIRR Hyderabad, and iron-rich pearl millet developed by ICRISAT.
These foods often use advanced technologies such as nutrigenomics (study of how genes interact with nutrients), bio-fortification, bioprocessing, and 3D food printing.
Smart Proteins:
Smart proteins are alternative protein sources produced through biotechnology, designed to reduce dependence on traditional livestock farming.
There are three major types:
Plant-based proteins made from soy, pea, or cereals that mimic the taste and texture of meat.
Fermentation-derived proteins produced using microbial systems.
Cultivated meat, grown directly from animal cells in bioreactors without slaughtering animals.
These innovations aim to provide high-quality protein while being more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Why Does India Need Them?
India’s nutrition scenario remains highly uneven. A large section of the population still lacks access to protein-rich diets, especially in rural areas. Urban consumers, meanwhile, are increasingly looking for food that supports health, fitness, and immunity.
Moreover, the traditional food production system puts heavy pressure on the environment — contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water scarcity.
Therefore, India needs to transform its food system to ensure that everyone has access to nutritionally adequate, safe, and sustainable food. This shift from “food security” to “nutritional security” is vital for improving public health and supporting long-term economic growth.
India’s Current Status:
India has officially recognised functional foods and smart proteins under its Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) policy.
The DBT and BIRAC have launched funding programmes to promote research in these areas.
On the industrial side, several companies such as Tata Consumer Products, ITC, and Marico are introducing fortified staples and health-oriented products. Startups like GoodDot, Blue Tribe Foods, and Evo Foods are making plant-based meat and egg substitutes, while the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has received funding from DBT for cultivated meat research.
However, there is still a regulatory gap — the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has not yet issued clear guidelines for novel foods like cultivated meat and precision-fermented proteins.
Global Scenario:
Globally, countries are moving quickly in this direction. Japan was the first to introduce the concept and regulation of functional foods back in the 1980s. Singapore became the first country to approve the commercial sale of cultivated chicken in 2020. China has made alternative proteins a national priority as part of its food security and innovation policy. The European Union is also investing heavily in sustainable protein production through its “Farm to Fork” strategy.
India is making progress but still lags behind these nations in terms of regulatory clarity, large-scale adoption, and consumer awareness.
Challenges:
Several challenges lie ahead for India:
Regulatory Uncertainty: The absence of FSSAI guidelines for cultivated and fermented foods creates confusion for startups and investors.
Public Skepticism: Many people remain hesitant to accept “lab-grown” or “biotech-based” food products.
Skill Gaps: The shift to biomanufacturing will require large-scale upskilling of the agricultural and manufacturing workforce.
Market Concentration: Without careful regulation, the market could become dominated by a few large corporations, leaving small farmers behind.
Infrastructure and R&D Costs: Setting up biomanufacturing facilities and ensuring food safety standards demand high investment and technological expertise.
Way Forward:
To achieve true nutritional transformation, India must act on multiple fronts.
First, a clear national regulatory framework under FSSAI is essential to define standards, ensure safety, and regulate labelling of functional and alternative protein products.
Second, there must be inter-ministerial coordination among agriculture, biotechnology, and food ministries to create a unified policy vision.
Third, public-private partnerships can help scale biomanufacturing and promote local innovation in technologies such as precision fermentation.
Fourth, public education campaigns are needed to build trust in these novel foods and dispel fears about “lab-made” food.
Finally, farmers must be included in the new value chains so that the benefits of biotechnology and food innovation reach every level of society.
Conclusion:
- India’s journey from food security to nutritional security marks a crucial phase in its development.
- Functional foods and smart proteins can help India fight malnutrition, reduce environmental impact, and open new economic opportunities in biotechnology and food innovation.
- However, success will depend on policy clarity, strong regulation, consumer awareness, and inclusivity.
- If managed wisely, India can emerge as a global leader in sustainable nutrition and smart food production in the coming decade.
