Paper: GS – III, Subject: Indian Economy, Topic: Food Processing and Related Industries, Issue: India Needs Nutritional Transformation.
Context:
India is shifting from calorie-focused food security to nutrient-rich nutritional security.
- Emerging solutions like functional foods and smart proteins offer technologically advanced, sustainable ways to meet the country’s evolving dietary needs while reducing environmental impact.
Key Takeaways:
| FSSAI: Statutory Body: Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Mandate: Lays down standards for food safety. Regulates manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food. Ensures safe and wholesome food for consumers. |
What are Functional Foods and Smart Proteins?
- Functional Foods: These are enriched foods that promote health or prevent disease.
- Examples include vitamin-enriched rice or omega-3-fortified milk.
- Functional foods leverage technologies like nutrigenomics, bio-fortification, 3D food printing, and bioprocessing.
- Smart Proteins: These are proteins sourced using biotechnology to reduce reliance on conventional production methods. They include:
- Plant-based proteins: Restructured extracts from legumes, cereals, or oilseeds to mimic animal meat and dairy.
- Fermentation-derived proteins: Proteins produced by microbial systems.
- Cultivated meat: Animal cells grown in bioreactors without slaughter.
How is the Smart Protein Ecosystem Faring?
The smart protein ecosystem is growing globally, with several countries investing in research, development, and commercialization of alternative protein sources.
- Singapore: As the first country to approve cultivated meat, Singapore is a leader in this field.
- China: China has prioritized alternative proteins as part of its food security and innovation agenda.
- European Union: The EU is investing heavily in sustainable protein production through its “Farm to Fork” strategy.
India: In 2023, there were an estimated 377 products (meat, eggs, or dairy) sold by over 70 smart protein brands across India.
- Startups such as GoodDot, Blue Tribe Foods, and Evo Foods are pioneering plant-based meat and egg alternatives.
- The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology has received a substantial grant for research on cultivated meat.
Talking Public Scepticism About Lab Food:
India can harness the potential of functional foods and smart proteins to achieve nutritional security, promote sustainable food production, and drive economic growth.
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