Smart proteins as functional foods: India’s future, a healthy abode
Smart proteins as functional foods: India’s future, a healthy abode
Smart proteins as functional foods transforming the global food system, aligning with India’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy. These innovations drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and food security. As India confronts challenges like climate change, food scarcity, and public health, functional foods and smart proteins are key to sustainable food production. Functional foods, rich in bioactive compounds, help prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity, promoting better health. Smart proteins, including plant-based and lab-cultured alternatives, replicate traditional meats while reducing environmental impact. Their production uses significantly less water, land, and energy, aiding India’s net-zero carbon goals by 2070. By cutting greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable practices, these innovations mitigate agriculture’s environmental effects and create a resilient, healthier food system.
The commercialization of Smart proteins as functional foods is rapidly gaining momentum, with both startups and established companies investing in product development and market growth. The global plant-based meat market is projected to reach between $100 billion and $370 billion by 2035, representing a significant economic opportunity for India. Given its agricultural diversity, robust food processing infrastructure, and biopharmaceutical expertise, India is well-positioned to lead in this growing sector. However, successful commercialization requires scaling production, ensuring affordability, and raising consumer awareness of health and environmental benefits. Innovative initiatives, such as startups producing plant based smart proteins, and companies advancing fermentation technologies, are reshaping India’s food landscape. For example, “GoodDot” and “Evo Foods” are pioneering smart protein products already entering Indian markets, demonstrating the practical application of these technologies. These initiatives underscore India’s capacity to spearhead the global shift towards sustainable food systems.
Farmers are crucial in this transformation. Those cultivating bioactive-rich or protein-rich crops like pulses and millets can integrate into the functional food and smart protein supply chains, boosting their income while supporting a more sustainable food system. India’s vast agricultural base holds significant potential to meet the raw material needs for both functional foods and smart proteins. Moreover, growing such crops strengthens rural communities, encourages crop diversification, and enhances climate resilience. Academic institutions and research organizations are also essential in driving innovation. Ongoing research focuses on improving bioactive compound extraction, enhancing the nutritional value of plant-based diets, and developing cost-effective methods to produce smart proteins through microbial fermentation and agricultural waste. This collaborative ecosystem, involving farmers, industry, academia, and research institutes, ensures that functional foods and smart proteins remain scalable, affordable, and sustainable.
As the world seeks answers to the intertwined challenges of climate change, public health, and food security, functional foods and smart proteins offer a promising path forward. These innovations reduce the environmental impact of food production, improve human health, and generate economic opportunities. India’s BioE3 policy provides a strong foundation for scaling these innovations, positioning the country as a leader in sustainable biotechnology and ensuring nutritious food for all.
Dr. Deepak Mehta
University/College name : National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali
