New Delhi: The launch of a new millet-based bun burger by McDonald’s has drawn praise from the Central government, which views it as a notable step in India’s efforts to promote millets as a mainstream, everyday food option. The development has been highlighted as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push on millets as a superfood, under the broader initiative informally known as the ‘Millet Movement’.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh shared the update on X, commending the global fast-food chain for adopting indigenous research and food technology developed within India. The Minister noted that the burger uses a millet bun formulated with support from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, a premier institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
In his post, Singh wrote, “Videshi turns to Swadeshi,” signalling how international brands are increasingly recognising the nutritional value and global potential of India’s traditional grains. He also shared an image of the newly introduced millet burger, which appears to swap the standard wheat bun for a millet-based alternative.
Millet Movement and Policy Push
The Indian government has been actively promoting millets both domestically and internationally. The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, following a proposal spearheaded by India. Since then, policymakers have encouraged millet integration across welfare schemes, food security programmes, and commercial food markets.
Millets—such as ragi, jowar, bajra and foxtail millet—are known for being climate-resilient crops that require less water and pesticides compared to rice or wheat. They have also gained traction for their nutritional benefits, being rich in fibre, iron, protein and antioxidants.
The government sees private sector participation as essential to bringing millets into everyday consumption. The introduction of millet-based products by major food chains, therefore, is being viewed as a significant milestone.
Industry Adoption and Consumer Trends
Food industry experts say the shift toward millets aligns with a broader consumer move toward healthier and functional foods. Several restaurant chains, packaged food brands and cafes have begun including millet options in menus — from rotis and bowls to snacks and desserts.
However, integrating millets into fast-food formats poses challenges in texture, taste and consistency. Institutes like CFTRI have been working on food processing techniques to refine millet flour and enhance its versatility, making products like buns and bakery items more commercially viable.
Symbolic Significance
The government has also emphasised that the move is not just nutritional, but cultural. Millets have deep roots in India’s agricultural history, particularly across rural and semi-arid regions. Promoting their return is seen as both a health-forward and heritage-affirming initiative.
Minister Jitendra Singh said that when multinational companies adopt Indian-origin ingredients and technologies, it strengthens the domestic research ecosystem and boosts farmer income opportunities. He added that such steps can help India develop into a global leader in millet innovation.
Future Outlook
With growing domestic endorsements and rising international curiosity, the government expects millet-based products to continue expanding in India’s food service sector. Restaurants, cafes and major food chains are likely to experiment more with millet-based formulations in bakery items, snacks and beverages.
The millet burger launch by McDonald’s may mark the beginning of a wider trend where “fast food meets local food science,” aligning commercial convenience with nutrition and sustainability goals.