
A technical analysis of plant-based meat and egg products in India
This technical brief is the outcome of a two-part nutritional study comparing the nutritional labels of plant-based meat and egg products with their animal-derived counterparts and assessing the nutritional quality of their protein and fat constituents.

Overview
As the market for plant-based meat and eggs is growing in India, consumers are conscious of their nutritional value, along with taste and price. This study seeks to address the need for reliable information on the nutritional composition of these products, which are often positioned as sustainable and healthy choices. By assessing the nutritional profile of plant-based meat and egg offerings in the Indian market and comparing their nutritional labels to traditional counterparts, this research will offer consumers an authentic reference point. It will also identify any nutritional gaps that may exist, informing product development and innovation in the plant-based food sector.
Key insights from the report
- Plant-based meat and egg products have an equivalent or higher protein content than their animal-derived counterparts.
- Plant-based meat products, particularly chunks, kebabs, and patties containing a combination of plant proteins (soy+wheat and soy+wheat+pea) have a balanced amino acid composition.
- While none of the animal-derived products meet the criteria to be deemed a ‘source of fibre’, most of the plant-based meat products in the Indian market do. Indeed, 10 out of the 11 formats of plant-based meat products and all the plant-based egg formats fall within the ‘high fibre’ category.
- The Indian plant-based smart protein sector can work towards improving their communication and marketing strategies to convey the nutritional advantages and claims of products to consumers, in line with the Labelling and Display Regulations of FSSAI.
- Unlocking the prowess of India’s native crops can lead to diverse plant-based ingredients with improved nutritional quality for the smart protein industry.