Indian American scientist Dr. Bhavna Tandon, Chief Scientific Officer at Brown Foods, has played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking food innovation—UnReal Milk, the world’s first lab-made whole cow milk. Brown Foods, a Boston-based startup backed by Y Combinator, has successfully developed this cow-free dairy product that mimics traditional milk in taste, texture, and nutrition.
Dr. Tandon unveiled UnReal Milk at Brown Foods’ Boston lab, marking a major milestone in food technology. Using mammalian cell culture, the company has created a milk alternative that contains all essential dairy proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, making it functionally identical to conventional milk. Unlike plant-based options, UnReal Milk can be transformed into butter, cheese, and ice cream.
Dr. Richard Braatz, a biopharmaceutical expert at MIT and an advisor to Brown Foods, emphasized that this breakthrough surpasses fermentation-based dairy alternatives by producing milk as a complete product. The technology is scalable and can be mass-produced using bioreactor systems.
Indian American Dr. Tandon and her team achieved this scientific milestone in just three years, a feat that other companies in the space have yet to accomplish after six years of attempts. Independent testing by MIT’s Whitehead Institute confirmed that UnReal Milk contains all major dairy proteins, including caseins and lactalbumin, along with identical milk fats and carbohydrates found in traditional dairy.
Beyond its scientific precision, UnReal Milk offers a sustainable alternative to dairy farming. The product is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 82%, water usage by 90%, and land requirements by 95%. Its development aligns with growing climate concerns and offers ethical, cruelty-free dairy choices. Moreover, its potential extends beyond Earth—UnReal Milk could provide a reliable dairy source for space exploration and remote locations.
Founded in 2021 by a team of Stanford, Rice, and IIT Delhi alumni, Brown Foods has raised $2.3 million and operates in both the U.S. and India. The company plans to introduce UnReal Milk for consumer tasting by late 2025, followed by a market pilot in 2026. AI-driven optimizations will refine the process, ensuring efficiency and scalability.
With Indian American scientist Dr. Bhavna Tandon at the forefront, Brown Foods is pioneering a sustainable future for dairy, reshaping the food industry with cutting-edge technology.
