SeafoodSource is closely following the plant-based and cell-based seafood alternatives market by compiling a regular round-up of updates from the sector.
- A group of Spanish seafood processors and consumer groups claim plant-based seafood companies are misleading consumers with their product-labeling practices in the country.
Conxemar, Apromar, Cepesca, Interfish, the Regional Federation of Fishermen's Guilds of the Canary Islands, the National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds, and the ConsumES Confederation are among several organizations that plan to soon launch a regulation proposal before European authorities on the issue.
“We consider that these products do not comply with the obligation to convey clear information to the consumer and are likely to confuse them in relation to the food itself, as well as its ingredients and properties,” ConsumES Vice President Miguel López Crespo said. “We are also concerned about the damage that these types of products can cause to our seafood and aquaculture products, but the consensus … has been obtained on the basis of poor consumer information and the need for regulation of the labeling of vegan and vegetarian foods.”
Late last year, Conxemar called on the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs to withdraw permission for the sale of plant-based seafood products using the names of fish on its labels.
- Rehovot, Israel-based alternative protein company Steakholder Foods has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership with Sherry Herring, a “highly recognized gourmet fish delicacies brand,” Steakholder CEO Arik Kaufman said in a release.
The two companies will unveil a new line of vegan fish salads developed with the company’s proprietary SHFISH premix blends.
“The collaboration marks another step forward in advancing our commercialization strategy, leveraging Sherry Herring’s regional expertise and brand recognition to expand our geographic footprint and customer base and further bolstering our growing product portfolio,” Kaufman said.
Sherry Herring has a well-established distribution network spanning delis and restaurants, according to Kaufman, and the new vegan fish salad line will roll out to both Sherry Herring’s current channels and new locations.
“Through the integration of SHFISH premix blends, we are aiming to redefine the seafood experience by offering plant-based alternatives that mimic the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of traditional fish salads while providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option,” Kaufman said.
- Haifa, Israel-based biotech company Pluri Inc. announced USD 10 million (EUR 9.3 million) in investments in Pluri’s subsidiary, Ever After Foods Ltd., which “offers a cutting-edge technology platform to produce cultivated food with unmatched, cost-efficient scalability,” the company said.
Ever After Foods is Pluri’s majority-owned joint venture with Israeli food giant Tnuva Food-Tech Incubator. It has exclusive licensing rights to use Pluri’s technology and intellectual property to develop, manufacture, and commercialize cultivated meat.
- Food manufacturer Conagra, based in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., is launching Plant-Based Crispy Breaded Fish into U.S. grocery chains as part of its Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based collection, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based Seed to Surf is debuting tinned “snow crab” and “whitefish” analogs at more than 150 Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S., per Food Ingredients First.
