KOCHI: A comprehensive joint study titled ‘The State of Protein & Fiber in Urban India’, conducted by PepsiCo India, Euromonitor International, and the Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), has revealed stark nutritional deficiencies across major Indian metros, with Kochi recording the most alarming drop in daily protein intake. Unveiled at a high-level nutrition summit supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the report analyzed dietary habits across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Kochi to evaluate urban consumption patterns of essential macronutrients. The findings indicate that despite growing public awareness around wellness, daily intake of protein and dietary fiber remains well below recommended dietary allowances (RDA) in urban households.
The survey highlighted that Kochi faces the most severe deficit among all five surveyed cities, with 73% of residents consuming under 41 grams of protein daily—significantly lower than standard nutritional requirements. Furthermore, 64% of respondents in Kochi fail to meet adequate daily fiber intake, driven by high retail costs, busy urban lifestyles, and a lack of convenient, credible fiber-rich food options in local markets. Industry experts and nutritionists at the CII event underscored the urgent need for multi-stakeholder collaboration among food manufacturers, policymakers, and public health bodies to launch targeted nutritional intervention campaigns, fortify staple diets, and make protein- and fiber-rich foods accessible and affordable for urban populations.
