India Healthy Snacks Market By Product (Frozen & Refrigerated, Fruit, Bakery, Savory, Confectionery, Dairy, Others), By Packaging (Bags & Pouches, Boxes, Cans, Jars, Others), By Sales Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The India Healthy Snacks Market was valued at USD 3.91 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6.12 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.75% during the forecast period.

India's healthy snacks market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing health awareness, rising disposable incomes, and changing consumer preferences. Demand for nutritious, organic, and protein-rich snacks has surged, with products like granola bars, roasted nuts, and multigrain chips gaining popularity. The expansion of e-commerce and retail distribution channels has further boosted market accessibility. Key players, including domestic and international brands, are innovating with functional ingredients and clean-label products.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Health Awareness and Lifestyle Changes

A growing awareness of health and wellness among Indian consumers is a significant driver of the healthy snacks market. In 2024, fueled by growing health consciousness and shifting consumer preferences, India's wellness market is anticipated to expand steadily at a rate of 5%. With rising concerns about obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, people are actively seeking nutritious alternatives to traditional fried and processed snacks.

Urbanization, busy lifestyles, and increased health consciousness have led to a shift towards snacks that offer functional benefits, such as high protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly reading nutritional labels and opting for clean-label products free from artificial additives and preservatives. This trend is further supported by social media influencers, nutritionists, and fitness enthusiasts who promote mindful eating habits, making healthy snacking an integral part of daily routines.

Expansion of Retail and E-Commerce Channels

The availability and accessibility of healthy snacks have significantly improved due to the expansion of modern retail and e-commerce platforms. India's ecommerce market, currently valued at USD 70 billion, accounts for about 7% of the country's total retail market. This presents a significant growth opportunity, as the online retail sector is expected to expand rapidly in the coming years. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores now allocate dedicated shelf space for healthy snack options, increasing consumer exposure to a wide variety of products.

Additionally, the boom in online grocery and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands has made it easier for health-conscious consumers to explore and purchase snacks tailored to their dietary preferences. E-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and BigBasket, along with specialized health food platforms such as Wellcurve and HealthKart, offer extensive choices, subscription models, and discounts that drive sales. Digital marketing strategies, including influencer collaborations, targeted advertisements, and social media promotions, have further enhanced brand visibility and consumer engagement, fueling the demand for healthier snack alternatives.

Innovation in Product Offerings and Functional Ingredients

The Indian healthy snacks market is witnessing continuous innovation in product development, with brands introducing diverse options to cater to evolving consumer preferences. A recent consumer insights study that surveyed approximately 6,000 individuals found that a majority of Indian consumers read ingredient lists before buying snacks. Companies are leveraging superfoods, plant-based proteins, and traditional ingredients such as millets, quinoa, amaranth, and flaxseeds to create nutrient-dense snacks like ragi chips, jowar puffs, and bajra cookies. A single cup of cooked lentils, for example, can offer as much as 18 grams of protein, and the Indian Council of Medical Research recommends a daily intake of 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight.

In August 2023, Tata Soulfull launched Ragi Bites Choco Sticks, a millet-based snack for children. Functional ingredients like probiotics, prebiotics, and adaptogens are also being incorporated to address specific health concerns, leading to products like immunity-boosting granola, protein bars, and probiotic yogurt snacks. In April 2025, Justgood Health launched vegan protein gummies that provide 8 grams of plant protein per serving.

Additionally, brands are focusing on flavor innovation to appeal to Indian palates, incorporating regional spices and ingredients to create healthier versions of traditional snacks like baked khakhras, roasted makhana, and low-oil murukkus. The rise of vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and sugar-free options has further broadened the market scope, allowing consumers with specific dietary needs to find suitable alternatives like dairy-free protein bars and vegan cookies that often use jaggery instead of refined sugar.

Government Policies and Industry Support

The Indian government has played a crucial role in shaping the healthy snacks market by promoting food safety, nutrition awareness, and domestic food processing industries. Regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have implemented stringent labeling norms, pushing brands to disclose nutritional information per 100g or 100ml. In July 2024, the FSSAI approved a proposal to display total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content in bold letters and a larger font size on packaged food items. Initiatives like the Eat Right India movement, which has trained over 2.5 million food handlers and certified 284 'Eat Right Stations,' have encouraged healthier consumer choices.

The movement also promotes food fortification, with 114 companies participating in the F+ program. Additionally, the government’s push for millet-based products, celebrating 2023 as the International Year of Millets, has given a boost to traditional and indigenous grains, which once constituted around 40% of all cultivated grains before the 1960s but have since dropped to about 20%. Various subsidies and incentives for food processing startups, such as those under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) which offer grants of 35% to 50% of the project cost up to a maximum of ₹5 crore, have further contributed to the growth of healthier snack options in the Indian market. 

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Key Market Challenges

High Pricing and Affordability Constraints

One of the biggest challenges in the Indian healthy snacks market is the high pricing of these products, which limits their accessibility to a broader consumer base. Many healthy snacks use premium ingredients such as nuts, seeds, millets, quinoa, and plant-based proteins, which are costlier than traditional snack ingredients like refined flour and sugar.

Additionally, the production process for healthier snacks often involves specialized processing techniques, organic sourcing, and stringent quality control, further driving up costs. As a result, these products remain largely unaffordable for price-sensitive consumers, especially in rural and lower-income segments. While demand is growing in urban areas, brands struggle to expand their reach beyond metro cities due to the perception that healthy snacks are luxury products. The challenge for manufacturers is to find ways to reduce costs while maintaining nutritional value, which requires innovations in sourcing, packaging, and distribution.

Limited Consumer Awareness and Market Penetration

Despite increasing health consciousness, a significant portion of the Indian population still lacks awareness regarding the benefits of healthy snacking. Many consumers are accustomed to traditional snacks, such as deep-fried namkeens, samosas, and packaged biscuits, which are deeply ingrained in Indian food culture. The perception that healthy snacks compromise on taste, texture, and satisfaction further acts as a barrier to adoption.

Additionally, the availability of healthy snack options is still limited in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where conventional snacks dominate retail shelves. Unlike large urban centers, where supermarkets and e-commerce platforms offer a variety of healthy snack choices, smaller towns have fewer options, making it difficult for brands to achieve deep market penetration. Overcoming this challenge requires sustained efforts in consumer education, aggressive marketing, and expansion of distribution networks to make healthy snacks more mainstream and widely accepted.

Intense Competition and Market Fragmentation

The Indian healthy snacks market is highly competitive and fragmented, with numerous domestic and international players vying for consumer attention. Large FMCG companies, emerging startups, and niche health-food brands are all competing to establish their presence, leading to an oversaturated market with a wide variety of products. This intense competition forces brands to differentiate themselves through innovation, branding, and pricing strategies, making it difficult for smaller players to sustain profitability. Additionally, the presence of counterfeit or misleading “health” products further complicates the landscape.

Many snacks marketed as “healthy” still contain high levels of sugar, sodium, and artificial additives, creating confusion among consumers and reducing trust in the category. Regulatory authorities like FSSAI are working to enforce stricter labeling and transparency, but misleading claims continue to be a concern. For brands to succeed, they must focus on building consumer trust through clear communication, strong brand identity, and a commitment to authentic, high-quality nutrition.  

Key Market Trends

Rise of Plant-Based and Vegan Snacks

A key trend shaping the Indian healthy snacks market is the growing preference for plant-based and vegan options, supported by major brand launches and investments that have accelerated consumer adoption in leading cities. As more people from India’s large vegetarian base shift toward vegan and plant-based diets for health, ethical, and environmental reasons, brands are introducing new products such as plant-based meats and egg alternatives through national retail networks and direct-to-consumer platforms.

Traditional dairy and animal-based snacks are being replaced by options made from nuts, seeds, legumes, and plant proteins. Offerings like mung bean and chickpea-based products, along with ready-to-cook vegan kebabs, keema, and biryani lines, are now more common. Protein snacks, roasted chana jor garam, and vegan eggs made from chickpeas are gaining steady traction among health-conscious consumers, with locally made liquid vegan egg products using mung bean and chickpea bases available across several metros.

Global plant-based diet trends, combined with celebrity endorsements, are further boosting acceptance in India. Public investments and ambassador roles by Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma for Blue Tribe Foods, announced in 2022 and reinforced in 2024, have strengthened consumer awareness. Conventional snack brands are also expanding into plant-based lines. Actor-couple Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh’s Imagine Meats, launched in 2021, now offers 11 frozen SKUs across 14 Indian states, giving consumers a broader selection of dairy-free and cruelty-free snack options.

Demand for Clean Label and Minimal Processing

Consumers are paying closer attention to ingredient lists and nutrition labels, driving a clear shift toward clean-label and minimally processed snacks. This is supported by FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020, and the 2024 amendment that requires bold display of total sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Shoppers are seeking transparency and avoiding products with artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and high sugar or sodium content. FSSAI’s rule of enforcing labelling amendments on July 1 each year helps ensure that consumers can make informed decisions.

Brands are responding by offering snacks made with whole, natural ingredients such as dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and millets, avoiding unnecessary additives. Millet production continues to rise, reaching 180.15 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, improving supply for healthier snack formulations. Simple products with familiar ingredients—like energy bars made with only nuts and dates or roasted seed mixes are gaining popularity due to their perceived health benefits. Institutional adoption is growing too, with 500 hospitals and medical colleges and nearly 100 jails certified as Eat Right Campuses.

Consumers are also becoming more aware of processing methods, favoring baked, roasted, or air-dried snacks instead of deep-fried ones. The Eat Right Campus initiative encourages safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices in certified locations. This movement reflects the broader global focus on mindful eating and has pushed both established and new brands to emphasize product authenticity and transparency. FSSAI’s labelling framework and annual enforcement on July 1 continue to strengthen clarity in ingredient and nutrition declarations..

Growth of Functional and Fortified Snacks

With increasing focus on wellness and preventive healthcare, functional snacks that offer added health benefits are gaining momentum in the Indian market. Consumers are not just looking for snacks to satisfy hunger but also to support their overall well-being. This has led to a surge in demand for fortified snacks enriched with protein, fiber, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and immunity-boosting ingredients such as turmeric, moringa, and ashwagandha.

Protein bars, collagen-infused gummies, and probiotic yogurt-based snacks are becoming more common, catering to specific dietary needs such as muscle recovery, digestive health, and stress relief. Additionally, brands are leveraging traditional Indian herbs and Ayurvedic ingredients to create functional snacking options, appealing to consumers who prefer natural remedies over synthetic supplements. As awareness about the link between nutrition and long-term health grows, the trend of functional snacking is expected to continue expanding.

Influence of Regional and Traditional Indian Ingredients

Indian consumers are increasingly seeking snacks that not only meet their health goals but also incorporate familiar flavors and regional ingredients. This has led to the rise of healthy snacks inspired by traditional Indian recipes and local superfoods. Millets such as ragi, jowar, and bajra, once considered staple grains in rural diets, are making a strong comeback in the form of millet chips, crackers, and energy bars.

Similarly, snacks made from ingredients like makhana (fox nuts), chana (roasted chickpeas), and gond (edible gum) are being positioned as nutritious alternatives to processed junk food. Even international snack formats, such as granola and protein bars, are being infused with Indian spices, nuts, and dried fruits to cater to local taste preferences. This trend not only appeals to health-conscious consumers but also resonates with those who want to maintain a connection with traditional eating habits while embracing modern snacking options.  

Segmental Insights

Product Insights

The savory snacks segment is the fastest-growing category in India's healthy snacks market, driven by a shift from deep-fried options to roasted, baked, and air-popped alternatives. Consumers are increasingly opting for millet-based chips, flavored fox nuts (makhana), roasted chickpeas, and multigrain crackers, which offer better nutrition without compromising taste. The rise in demand for high-protein, fiber-rich, and low-fat snacks has fueled innovation, with brands introducing products infused with regional spices and superfoods. Unlike frozen or dairy-based snacks, savory options require no refrigeration, making them ideal for on-the-go consumption. Supported by e-commerce expansion, urbanization, and government initiatives promoting millets, this segment continues to gain traction, appealing to both health-conscious millennials and traditional snack lovers across India.

Distribution Channel Insights

The online retail segment is the fastest-growing channel in India's healthy snacks market, fueled by increasing internet penetration, smartphone usage, and changing consumer shopping habits. E-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and health-focused marketplaces provide easy access to a wide variety of healthy snacks, including organic, gluten-free, vegan, and protein-rich options, which may not be readily available in offline stores. The rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands has further accelerated growth, allowing startups to reach niche health-conscious audiences through digital marketing and personalized offerings. Consumers prefer online shopping for convenience, better discounts, and doorstep delivery, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. As awareness and demand for premium, clean-label snacks grow, the online segment continues to expand rapidly.

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Regional Insights

North India dominated the healthy snacks market due to its high urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and strong health-conscious consumer base. Metro cities like Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, and Lucknow drive demand, with a growing preference for organic, protein-rich, and functional snacks. The region's fitness culture and increasing awareness of clean-label, gluten-free, and high-protein options have fueled sales of roasted makhana, millet-based chips, and energy bars. Additionally, North India has a large young population and working professionals who prefer on-the-go, nutritious snack options. The widespread presence of modern retail stores, premium supermarkets, and expanding e-commerce penetration further strengthens its market leadership. With brands actively innovating and promoting healthy alternatives, North India continues to be the largest consumer of healthy snacks.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, Healthy Master previewed its 2025 range featuring global flavors in millet, seed, and multigrain formats positioned for guilt-free snacking, aligning with the New Year reset trend toward better-for-you products.
• In February 2025, Appeatoz (Nutrox Foodworks) introduced new offerings including jowar puffs and seed mixes for health-conscious consumers, expanding its digital-first distribution network.
• In May 2025, Bonvie Snacks launched its Makhana range on May 15, 2025, in multiple flavors, extending the brand’s health-focused portfolio and entering the fasting and functional snacking segment.
• In June 2025, D2C brand Indian Snack House raised Rs 2.2 crore in pre-seed funding led by Titan Capital to scale authentic, region-inspired, healthier snacks, adding new South Indian lines across Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• In September 2024, Pakka Limited partnered with Brawny Bear to launch Date Energy Bars in compostable flexible packaging, combining a clean-label, date-based formulation with sustainable packaging in India’s healthy snacking segment.
• In October 2024, Zydus Wellness agreed to acquire Naturell India (RiteBite) for ₹390 crore to expand its presence in healthy snacks and nutrition bars, strengthening its consumer wellness portfolio with a leading protein and energy bar brand.

Key Market Players

• Nestlé India Limited
• Kellanova
• Hindustan Unilever Limited
• Danone India Limited
• PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd 
• Mondelēz Global LLC
• Hormel Foods Corporation
• Dole Packaged Foods, LLC.
• Del Monte Foods, Inc.
• Select Harvests Limited

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Healthy Snacks Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• India Healthy Snacks Market, By Product:

o   Frozen & Refrigerated

o   Fruit

o   Bakery

o   Savory

o   Confectionery

o   Dairy

o   Others

• India Healthy Snacks Market, By Packaging:

o   Bags & Pouches Boxes

o   Cans

o   Jars

o   Others

• India Healthy Snacks Market, By Sales Channel:

o   Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

o   Convenience Stores

o   Online

o   Others

• India Healthy Snacks Market, By Region:

o   North

o   West

o   South

o   East

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the India Healthy Snacks Market.

Available Customizations:

India Healthy Snacks Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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