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The conclusion is that there are In the below estimates, animal surveys have revealed that simple
sections of the population which proteins stand out as being diets, especially at the bottom of the

are over nourished, and large significantly more expensive in economic pyramid, does not provide
swathes which remain under. The providing dietary protein, which adequate protein.
lack of access to high quality dairy supports the earlier reasons provided
and animal protein due to the twin for meat not being popular in India. FUTURE PROSPECTS OF PROTEIN
reasons of price and availability is Protein ingredients as defi ned INGREDIENTS - FUNCTION OR
one of the reasons. While India is the by Giract have a range of prices FUNCTIONALITY?
largest dairy producer in the world, depending on source (soy, other Protein ingredients are both
the per capita availability is very plant, dairy) and type (texturized, nutritional and functional.
low. Similarly, while a vegetarian concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate). Texturized soy proteins can be
diet may be cultural, feeding 20% of Texturized soy proteins are priced used as meat extenders, while
the world’s population with animal between INR 65-75/kg with a protein concentrates and isolates can
proteins on par with the rest of content of 52%. This translates be used in various applications
the world threatens to destroy an into INR 0.12 per gram of protein like RTM powder beverages

already fragile food supply system delivered. When moving up to (protein fortification) or sausages

as well as being environmentally isolates with more than 80% protein (emulsification and meat extension).
unsustainable. The conclusion content, the cost of delivered protein The use of these ingredients in India
therefore is that plant proteins works out to around INR 2.6 per gram, therefore is not restricted to creating
will remain the principal source of which inches closer to the cost of the protein rich foods. Since the cost of
proteins in the Indian diet. cereals and pulses presented above. delivery of protein is comparable to
The key difference between using whole cereals/pulses, it is necessary
PROTEIN INGREDIENTS whole grains/cereals/pulses for to understand the challenges of
COMPETING AGAINST DIETARY protein delivery vs the ingredients positioning these ingredients as
PROTEIN SOURCES is the synergistic benefit of the other nutritional components for most

Giract estimates the total volume components in the matrix, which of the population. The primary

of animal/plant/dairy protein the purified protein ingredients do challenge is production capacity
ingredients consumed in India in not have. – large scale processing of pulses
2016 to be approximately 184kt. and cereals do not happen in
This works out to around 400mg A pan India survey – “the protein India. The second challenge is
per day per capita or, in other paradox” (righttoprotein.com) – application in different matrices
words an insignifi cant contributor revealed that mothers were aware of for which NPD efforts need to be

to fortification of the diet of the protein as an essential component faster and wider. The last challenge,
majority. of the diet. But they could not which has been raised earlier in
identify food components that were this article is that whole grains/
One of the reasons is the high cost of rich in protein and also believed a cereals provide a variety of other
protein ingredients. Dietary protein basic meal consisting of rice, dal macro/micronutrients which the

sources are significantly cheaper in and roti provided adequate amount ingredients do not provide. Hence
providing protein. of protein. Various public health the choice of the processed food
matrix which is sought to be fortifi ed
is important. When production is
Ingredient Average Average price of Cost of protein scaled up in India, the price of the
protein ingredient (INR/ delivered (INR/g) protein ingredients may also fall.
content (%) Kg) Until these two are addressed, the
Cereals & millets 10 18 1.8 use of protein ingredients may be
(representative restricted to high priced matrices
wheat) targeted at specifi c urban/affl uent
Pulses 20 120 2.4 populations.
Egg 14 5/piece 1.2
Milk 3 55/liter 0.6
Meat (representative 18 150 8.5 * Author is Project Manager, Giract
chicken) kaushik@giract.com

Food Marketing & Technology 19 April 2021