Regulatory milestone advances the company’s plan to bring its high-protein mycelium ingredient to Indian food manufacturers
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct 27, 2026 — BMC Ingredients today announced that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an approval letter for Rhiza™ Mycelium, the company’s flagship ingredient made through fermentation. The milestone advances BMC’s plans to serve Indian food manufacturers and expand its international business.
This regulatory approval comes on the heels of similar approvals for Rhiza in the United States, Canada, and Singapore.
Rhiza is an all-natural whole food mycelium—the root-like structure of fungi—which is made by fermenting Neurospora crassa, a species of fungi with a lengthy history of human consumption. The resulting ingredient is rich in both protein and dietary fiber, with a naturally savory flavor and versatile texture. It’s also rich in compounds valued by longevity enthusiasts. Rhiza is a non-GMO, vegetarian and vegan, halal, kosher, and clean label ingredient.
BMC offers Rhiza mycelium in two formats: a chunk with a meat-like texture that can be used as a meat enhancer and meat replacer, and as a powder to help food manufacturers formulate products with more protein and fiber.
As a whole food, Rhiza mycelium offers:
- More protein than eggs (and a complete protein)
- More fiber than oats
- More iron and zinc than mutton
- More potassium than bananas
“India has extraordinary culinary traditions that lend themselves well to a new high-protein mycelium ingredient,” said Paul Shapiro, CEO and co-founder of BMC Ingredients. “Indians want more protein, but they don’t have to get it from meat or processed isolates like whey, and can instead enjoy this all-natural whole food.”
The approval comes as India’s appetite for protein grows. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that Indian demand for poultry, seafood, and dairy is rising and is expected to grow further as incomes increase. The opportunity also extends to protein-enriched everyday foods: according to Reuters, citing Euromonitor, India’s high-protein dairy market grew 9.4% in 2024 to $1.5 billion. Rhiza gives manufacturers another way to meet this growing interest in protein across both meat products and animal-free foods.
The company intends to make Rhiza commercially available in India starting in the second quarter of 2027.
