Food and Tel Aviv

The Global Hunger Index results are out and the rankings aren’t pretty for India. While there is a large debate on the methodology (the Indian Ministry of Women & Child development has alleged that the poll was telephonic and devoid on ground realities), we all know that there are miles to go when it comes to hunger and health in India.

73% of Indians including the urban rich are deficient in protein. 50% of the world’s micro nutrient deficient population resides in India. We need to invest a lot more in Food Tech than what’s happening today to manage our population & climate change.

The Indian government and the VC ecosystem desperately need to take inspiration from nations like Israel on this where public policy (Israel Innovation Authority is super active) and investors deeply partner with innovators. The country is now home to more than 300 food tech start-ups — 124 of which were established in the last year alone.

Such is the level of focus that in 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, himself, was one of the first to bite into the world’s first cultivated steak by Aleph Farms. While the plant based meat/ alt protein sector has been seeing action for a couple of years (thanks to Beyond meat for raising the sector profile), there is some kickass work happening in Israel food tech scene in other sectors.

Some of innovations I’m looking forward to:

Doux Matok: a game changing promise. Same taste of sugar, half the calories.

Better juice: Orange juice 80% lesser sugar (fructose, glucose, sucrose)

Bio Milk: baby formula with cultured breast milk

Eatsane: High protein low card breads, buns, chocolate

Hoping a lot of these get quick scale and become affordable! Also hoping that India catches up on focus and investments. Fingers crossed!!