India being tropical country, we have a highly diversified plant kingdom. This gives an advantage of many plant-based proteins. Besides this we are majorly affected by protein deficiency, i.e., around 73% of urban rich Indians are protein deficient and 93% are unaware about their daily protein requirements. And the 2018 IPSOS study stated that 84% of Indian vegetarian and 65% of non-vegetarian diets are protein deficient. In this regard, egg being highly consumed as one of the protein sources has many challenges as listed below.

1. To reduce the carbon footprints-

Livestock farming produces from 20% to 50% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Meat, cheese and eggs have the highest carbon footprint. Fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts have much lower carbon footprints. The Virtual Water requirement for produce 1kilio gram of Meat / Egg is much lower than equal nutrition of Plant based.  The vehicle emission of 11 miles drive is the same emissions as eating one kilogram of egg.

2. Minimize the need for animal-based protein-

Human anatomy is designed and works perfect when we feed plant based fuel . Animal protein makes the body more acidic, another factor in heart disease. Vegetarian proteins are much kinder on the body as they do not create acidity. And of course, plant foods contain very little fat, and it is often healthy fat too.

Animal protein is also a major factor in osteoporosis. As the body is made more acidic by meat protein, calcium is taken from your bones to counteract that acidity. The liver also has to work hard to breakdown toxins that are released during animal protein break-down. These toxins are a major factor in arthritis and gout. A vegetarian diet is low in acid-forming foods and does not create the same toxins as a meat-based diet.

Many studies have also shown a strong link between meat-eating and bowel cancer. Vegetarians have been shown to have lower rates of many cancers, including bowel cancer.

3. Chickens are highly feed with antibiotics

Antibiotic residues in food products have been associated with many health concerns. According to some research, these residues may cause several serious side effects in humans, such as allergies, and may negatively affect the health of the liver, kidneys, reproductive system, and immune system. These highly dosed chickens and Chicken eggs are one causes for premature Puberty in female and less testosterone in men.

Excessive antibiotic use can increase resistant bacteria, making the antibiotics less effective for both animals and humans.

Most meat animals are raised with the assistance of daily doses of antibiotics. By 2050, antibiotic resistance will cause a staggering 10 million deaths a year. Resistant bacteria are a grave threat and getting worse. They are responsible for at least 700,000 deaths each year.

Kerala has launched Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan in 2018.

4. Chickens are compelled to give eggs

Chickens are going through “forced moulting”, which is a cruel technique that typically involves starving hens in order to shock their bodies into another egg-laying cycle.

Hens are forced to spend their lives confined to tiny wire “battery” cages.

The egg and meat industries don’t let hens mate naturally.

5. Feed with stress nutrition

A study conducted in Muvattupuzha on the antimicrobial resistance of pathogens in the poultry production environment and developing the same among humans revealed that the bacterial infections among people residing in the area were caused by similar drug-resistant Escherichia coli (E-coli). The irrational use of antibiotics in chicken, for meat production and preventing infections, has made an impact in the community by making them resistant to certain common antibiotics, including ampicillin, amoxicillin, amikacin and ofloxacin.

6. Insufficient protein requirements for vegetarians.

Plant proteins provide all the necessary amino acids as long as you don’t rely too much on one food. The combination of rice ‘n’ beans provides a ‘perfect’ protein. Other great sources of vegetarian protein are beans, peas, lentils, nuts, whole-grains, tofu and soy. Plant based nutrition are easily absorbed than meat based. Many vegans have low zinc intakes as they tend to eat less than vegetarians or meat-eaters.

Shrink That Footprint’s chart shows that a meat lover has the highest carbon footprint at 3.3 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan diet has the lowest carbon footprint at just 1.5 tons CO2e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent).
The demand for food products raised without antibiotics is growing fast. In 2012, sales of these products had increased by 25% over the previous 3 years.
The overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals is being blamed for the increase in resistant bacteria, also known as “superbugs.”
’40 to 80% of products in the supermarket should be classified as poison not food’ said Mark Bittman in his Wallace Stegner lecture
More over plant-based diet is full of antioxidants (free radical scavenging) which slow down the process of aging and protect against cancer and heart disease.

These compelling statements hit us to create a protein and micronutrient substitute in the form of omelette from plant substitute which tastes better than broiler egg omelette, which will at least satisfy 20-30% of protein in our Indian society. Besides Covid, the need for the healthy alternatives has been drastically increased, making people look at healthy innovations.