Breakthrough collaboration promises sustainable seafood alternatives for endangered and high-value fish.
Cultivated meat startup Biokraft Foods has launched structured rainbow trout products using cell cultivation technology, marking a first for the Indian seafood sector. The launch is powered by a strategic collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก (ICAR-CICFR) and represents a pivotal expansion of the clean protein platform vision of Biokraft Foods.
Under the partnership, they have developed fish cell lines from native Indian trout species. Biokraft Foods uses its proprietary 3D bioprinting technology and proprietary bioink to transform these cells into whole-cut cultivated fish structurally and nutritionally on par with conventional trout.
Fishing for Answers to Trout Problems
Rainbow trout, popular for its nutritional benefits, remain resource-intensive to farm. Trout species play a critical role in our environment and economy, but finding a way to enjoy seafood while protecting these vulnerable populations is a hard shell to crack.
Biokraft Foods’ technology platform initially developed for cultivated chicken utilises 3D bioprinting to fabricate the texture, taste, and structure of real meat. This same technology is now being applied to fish, paving the way for seafood that can be produced consistently. The company, with its cultivated versions, will provide year-round production without dependency on live animal farming, wild catch, or fragile ecosystems.
“At Biokraft Foods, we believe the future of food lies at the intersection of innovation and sustainability,โ said Kamalnayan Tibrewal, Founder and CEO of Biokraft Foods. He added, โOur partnership with ICAR-CICFR marks a significant milestone โ launching Indiaโs first cultivated trout product, a breakthrough that preserves our precious aquatic biodiversity and brings cleaner, cruelty-free fish to the plate. Through this initiative, weโve demonstrated how industry-academia collaboration can drive meaningful innovation and create scalable solutions for the future of food.โ
Traditionally, trout is a high-value fish with limited availability in India due to geographical and climatic constraints, making it expensive and seasonal in supply. By cultivating trout in controlled environments using cellular agriculture, Biokraft aims to address both cost and accessibility challenges. Cultivated production not only offers the potential to bring down prices over time through scale and process optimization, but also ensures a reliable, year-round supply chain. Moreover, this method eliminates reliance on antibiotics and avoids contaminants like microplastics, offering a cleaner, more sustainable seafood solution without compromising on quality or nutrition.
Dr Amit Pande, Principal Scientist remarked, โAt ICAR-CICFR, our mandate has been to promote sustainable coldwater fisheries through advanced research and innovation. The collaborative development of Indiaโs first cultivated trout product with Biokraft Foods exemplifies how academic institutions and emerging industry players can jointly contribute to the evolution of alternative protein sources. This initiative not only aligns with our vision of conserving aquatic biodiversity but also opens up new avenues for cell-based aquaculture research in India.โ
Biokraft Foods is expanding its product line with a new seafood launch, building on its existing range of cultivated meat products. The company is set to open a dedicated R&D and pilot facility by the end of 2025, which will act as a hub for innovation, enabling it to perfect its offerings. The ultimate goal is to achieve a full commercial rollout of both its meat and seafood products by 2026.
Biokraft Foods is also working closely with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as India moves toward regulatory clarity for cell-based foods. This step aligns with a growing wave of interest from Indian government institutions in alternative protein production.
