Malnutrition Data Frames India Roundtable on Building Alt-Protein Into State Feeding Schemes

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Good Food Institute India (GFI India) recently hosted a closed-door roundtable to address the issue of malnutrition in India, focusing on integrating plant-based and biomass-fermented proteins into the country's public feeding programs. With almost one in three Indian children under five being stunted and underweight, the discussion aimed to improve the nutritional quality of meals provided by schemes like PM-POSHAN and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which currently lack adequate protein content.

Participants highlighted the potential of utilizing local crops such as pulses, millets, and defatted oilseed meals to create affordable protein ingredients. However, before implementing these changes in public programs, there is a need to ensure food safety standards, address evidence gaps, and establish infrastructure for processing, testing, and quality assurance. Collaboration among government, research institutions, industry, development organizations, and civil society is seen as crucial to developing practical and locally relevant solutions for India's nutritional security through alternative proteins.