In a move reflecting India’s growing influence in global food innovation, McDonald’s India has launched a new multi-millet burger bun developed using indigenous food technology from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru.

The announcement was made by Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on X (formerly Twitter), who described it as a “moment of pride for Indian innovation.” He posted a photo of the burger, which showed packaging marked with a “Multi-Millet Bun” sticker, emphasising the partnership between Indian scientific innovation and global business.

The bun incorporates nutrient-rich grains such as jowar (sorghum), bajra (pearl millet), and ragi (finger millet) — traditional Indian crops celebrated for their health benefits and low environmental footprint. Developed in partnership with Indian food scientists, the new product combines improved nutrition with the familiar taste and texture of McDonald’s burgers.

According to McDonald’s, the new millet buns will be available initially at select outlets across North and East India, with a phased rollout planned for the rest of the country in the coming months. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s “Make in India” and “Millets for Health” campaigns, encouraging the use of local ingredients and sustainable agricultural practices.

The launch also builds on the momentum generated by the United Nations’ declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, an initiative led by India to promote awareness of millets as climate-resilient and nutrition-dense grains.

Industry experts have hailed the move as a landmark example of global brands adopting swadeshi innovation, blending international standards with local ingenuity and sustainability.