Biokraft Foods, a biotech startup founded in 2023 by Kamalnayan Tibrewal, recently hosted India’s first public tasting of cultivated meat in Mumbai. Over 30 representatives were present and sampled cultivated chicken burgers and chili chicken, praising both the taste and sustainability. Tibrewal responded, saying,
“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received fuels our commitment to redefine how meat is produced.”
This event marks a major milestone as Biokraft works toward launching its first product by 2025, pending regulatory approval. The company is pioneering 3D bioprinting technology to create a cultivated chicken that replicates the texture, flavor, and nutrition of traditional meat using hybrid inks made from chicken cells and algal-based biopolymers. Biokraft is also exploring new products, such as cultivated trout, in collaboration with research bodies.
Regulatory and scientific frameworks in India are evolving to support cellular agriculture like Biocraft's. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is creating regulations for cell-based foods, while institutions like the Department of Biotechnology are advancing research. Nilesh Lele, Biokraft’s Strategic Advisor, noted,
“This event underscores their potential to revolutionize the industry...and put India on the global map for sustainable food technology.”
Image Credit: Biokraft Foods / Vegconomist