Saving Seafood

Data shows plant-based seafood analogs, cell-cultured seafood booming

March 25, 2022 — Plant-based food and seafood analog sales are booming in the United States, and cell-cultured seafood suppliers are obtaining major funding for growth.

Despite “turbulent economic conditions amplified by the pandemic, supply chain issues, and inflation” the Plant Based Foods Association, the Good Food Institute, and SPINS said in a press release that new data shows U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods grew 6.2 percent in 2021. Overall, the total value of the plant-based market reached an all-time high of USD 7.4 billion (EUR 6.7 billion).

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

JOHN FIORILLO: Are plant-based seafood labels really misleading? Judge for yourself.

November 4, 2021 — Imitation may be the sincerest form flattery, as the proverb says, but when it comes to plant-based seafood look-alikes, imitation is nothing but controversy.

The seafood industry does not find the continued growth of plant-based seafood alternatives, which the seafood industry says are intentionally masquerading as fish and shellfish to fool consumers, flattering in any way. Rather, it is outright fraud, say seafood producers.

The issue was thrust back into the spotlight last week when the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the leading US seafood trade association, stepped up its call to stop plant-based seafood manufacturers from labeling their products as seafood and gaining an “unfair marketing advantage.”

NFI President John Connelly, speaking at the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) annual meeting, said the issue is among the most frustrating he has dealt with in the seafood industry over the past five years.

I certainly agree that transparent and accurate labeling is a must for any product, and for sure many companies dance that fine line of marketing and misleading messaging.

Read the full opinion piece at IntraFish

Seafood analog firms attracted USD 70 million in investment first half of 2021

August 6, 2021 — The seafood analogs sector is getting busier, with increased investments, new product offerings, and expanded distribution.

Investment in plant-based seafood analogs reached USD 70 million (EUR 59 million) in the first half of 2021, according to the Good Food Institute, while U.S. sales of plant-based seafood analogs grew 23 percent to USD 12 million (EUR 10 million) last year.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Long John Silver’s exec: Plant-based seafood analogs “will be the next big wave”

August 3, 2021 — Long John Silver’s is making history as the first major national seafood chain to embrace plant-based seafood analogs.

Last month, the Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.-based operator of more than 700 restaurants across the United States announced a partnership with Good Catch, partnering with  a New York City, U.S.A.-based maker of plant-based imitation seafood products. It will trial Good Catch’s Plant-Based Breaded Fish-Free Fillet and Plant-Based Breaded Crab-Free Cake products at five of its restaurants in the U.S. states of California and Georgia.

In an interview with SeafoodSource, LJS Chief Marketing Officer Stephanie Mattingly explained why the restaurant chain is offering plant-based seafood analogs and what its future plans are for the category.

SeafoodSource: Why did LJS want to offer plant-based seafood analogs? How do they align with the company’s values and goals, and operational plans for this year?

Mattingly: We have always believed that our unique seafood experience should be accessible to all. By serving plant-based seafood, we can further that mission by embracing customers who follow plant-based diets. LJS is guided by a vision of fishing smarter with less environmental impact. Our cod, pollock, and salmon are sustainably sourced and wild-caught. Plant-based seafood is a new take on sustainability worth exploring as well.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Seaspiracy fueling plant-based surge in Europe, as Cargill becomes next big player to invest in seafood analog market

April 28, 2021 — Plant-based seafood analog products continue to gain in popularity in Europe. To meet that demand, suppliers have been launching new plant-based products, while companies traditionally aligned with the seafood industry have been investing in plant-based firms.

Agriculture giant Cargill is investing in Bflike, a start-up created by BOX NV. Bflike has patent-pending vegan fat and blood platforms, and it plans to license its proprietary technology and premix ingredient solutions to food manufacturers and retailers so they can commercialize their own meat and fish alternative products.

Read the full story at Seafood Source