CFTRI and McDonald’s Unveil New ‘Protein Plus Slice’ Initiative

Swift Summary

• Launch Event: The ‘Protein Plus Slice,’ developed collaboratively by CSIR-CFTRI (Mysuru) and mcdonald’s India (West and South), was unveiled at a symposium in Mysuru on Friday following its formal launch in Mumbai on Thursday.
• Ingredients and Features: Made of 100% vegetarian ingredients, including soy and pea protein, it contains no artificial colors or flavors, nor onion or garlic, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
• Nutritional Value: Each slice contains 5 grams of protein. Customers can opt to include the slice in burgers for enhanced nutrition.
• Progress Timeline: It took six months for CFTRI scientists and McDonald’s India representatives to develop the product.
• Collaborative History: This is the second partnership between CFTRI and McDonald’s-the first being the Multi-Millet Bun launched earlier.
• Availability: the ‘Protein Plus Slice’ has been introduced across 440 McDonald’s outlets in west and South India.
• Focus of Project: The initiative emphasized creating improved plant-based protein alternatives with enhanced texture, flavor, sustainability benefits, mimicry of animal proteins’ sensory properties, alongside environmental and health advantages.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The unveiling of the ‘Protein Plus Slice’ highlights a broader shift toward plant-based food solutions driven by scientific collaboration. By prioritizing sustainability while catering to diverse dietary needs through innovations such as soy-pea-based proteins without onion or garlic content,this partnership between CSIR-CFTRI-a premier research institute-and a global fast-food brand like McDonald’s demonstrates how public-private enterprises can address nutritional demands at scale.

With its launch across key Indian regions (west & South zones), this product tests consumer receptivity toward healthier choices amid growing awareness around plant-based diets. For CFTRI specifically, projects like these reinforce India’s capability to advance food science solutions tied to global trends such as environmental concerns around meat production. However important questions remain regarding broader market scalability beyond urban centers as well as price sensitivity among consumers seeking nutrient-rich yet affordable options.

The collaborative venture marks both innovation on corporate grounds aiming operational expansion & long-term implications reinforcing inter-disciplinary applications improving daily-consumption avenues importantly! Read more here.