NEW TECH FOODS

At the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 in New Delhi, India, the country’s Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted the importance of building a regulatory framework for novel foods.

Nadda underscored the need for rigorous food safety standards and an adaptable regulatory framework to address innovative foods such as cell-based meat, plant-based proteins and insect proteins. He also emphasised the importance of widespread adoption of organic farming globally to mitigate the risks posed by pesticide residues in food.

Nadda said: "The rapid globalisation, technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences are reshaping our food systems at an unprecedented pace. We face a complex area of challenge from persistent foodborne illness and emerging concerns such as nutraceutical safety, novel foods and microplastics in our food chain while striving for sustainability.”

He explained how the role of food regulators has never been more crucial, stressing the need for continuous collaboration, innovation and a commitment to constant improvement in food safety systems.

Nadda also announced that India has established a National Research Foundation with a budget of around $5.9 million from 2024-2028, to scale research across various sectors, including food safety.

It has been a busy year for India’s alt-protein sector. In January, India’s Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute launched the country’s ‘first-ever’ project to produce cell-based fish in India, and, in March, the FSSAI said it was in the process of establishing regulatory guidelines for the approval of cell-based foods.

In July, Singapore-based cultured seafood firm Umami Bioworks partnered with two Indian companies in a bid to boost R&D and reach commercial-scale production, while, earlier this month, Indian pharmaceutical giant Zydus Lifesciences acquired a 50% stake in Sterling Biotech from Perfect Day, entering into a 50:50 joint venture with the animal-free dairy firm.

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