Context:
• India is undergoing a nutrition transition, moving from food security towards nutritional security, driven by innovations in functional foods and smart proteins.
• The debate emerges amidst persistent malnutrition, rising incomes, changing consumer expectations, and sustainability concerns.
Key Highlights:
- What Are Functional Foods?
- Foods enriched or fortified to promote health/prevent disease.
- Examples: Vitamin-enriched rice, omega-3 fortified milk.
- Technologies involved: Nutrigenomics, biofortification, 3D food printing, bioprocessing.
- What Are Smart Proteins?
- Biotechnology-derived alternative proteins reducing dependence on traditional livestock.
- Categories:
- Plant-based proteins (legumes/cereals restructuring to mimic meat/dairy).
- Fermentation-derived proteins (microbial systems).
- Cultivated meat (animal cells grown in bioreactors, no slaughter).
- Why Does India Need Them? (Nutritional & Sustainability Imperative)
- 1/3rd of Indian children are stunted; persistent urban–rural protein gap.
- Shift toward nutrient-dense diets with rising incomes.
- Climate concerns demand sustainable food systems without ecological damage.
- India’s Current Status:
- Functional foods & smart proteins recognized under BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment).
- Government bodies: DBT, BIRAC actively funding.
- Key developments:
- Zinc-rich rice (IIRR Hyderabad), iron-rich pearl millet (ICRISAT).
- Private sector: Tata Consumer, ITC, Marico investing in fortified foods.
- Smart protein ecosystem: 377 products, 70+ brands by 2023.
- Startups: GoodDot, Blue Tribe, Evo Foods.
- ₹4.5 crore DBT grant to CCMB for cultivated meat research.
- Gap: Lack of FSSAI guidelines on novel foods (cultivated meat, precision-fermented proteins).
- Global Landscape:
- Japan: First to conceptualize and regulate functional foods (1980s).
- Singapore: First country to approve commercial cultivated chicken (2020).
- China: Prioritizing alternative proteins for food-security strategy.
- EU Farm to Fork Strategy: Investing in sustainable protein transition.
- Significance for India:
- Growing global market (estimated $85–240 billion by 2030).
- Potential for agriculture, manufacturing, logistics jobs.
- Risk of mislabelled/unverified products, regulatory vacuum, and public scepticism.
Relevant Prelims Points
- • Smart Proteins – Types & Production Systems
- Plant-based (legumes/oilseeds), fermentation-derived, cultivated meat in bioreactors.
- Aim: Reduce reliance on traditional livestock, lower carbon footprint, cut water use.
- Key Indian Government Initiatives
- BioE3 Policy, DBT, BIRAC funding programs.
- Public grants for cultivated meat (CCMB).
- Development of biofortified crops at national research institutes.
Relevant Mains Points
- Issues: Malnutrition & Nutritional Security
- Persistent stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiency.
- Rising need for quality proteins, antioxidants, vitamins.
- Definitions & Concepts
- Functional Foods: Fortified or enhanced foods with proven health benefits.
- Smart Proteins: Biotech-enabled alternative proteins — plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated.
- Nutrigenomics: Interaction of genes and nutrition.
- Biofortification: Adding micronutrients during crop development.
- Institutional Ecosystem
- DBT, BIRAC, ICRISAT, IIRR, CCMB, private sector & startups.
- Functional & alternative proteins aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and bioeconomy goals.
- Regulatory & Ethical Concerns
- Absence of a national regulatory framework for novel foods.
- Market risks: misinformation, mislabelled products, corporate dominance.
- Ethical issues around lab-grown meat acceptance.