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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Plant-Based Fish Products in 2025 – Are We Hitting the Mark?

As overfishing, environmental degradation, and shifting consumer values reshape global seafood demand, plant-based fish products are gaining serious traction. But what do these products offer nutritionally – and how can manufacturers, retailers, and policymakers help them fulfil their potential? ProVeg International’s latest report, Out of the Net, Into the Future, takes a deep dive into the fast-evolving world of plant-based seafood. The team analysed 100 products across 11 countries and three continents – from canned tuna to fishless fillets – to assess where the category stands in 2024/25. The outlook is promising. Consumer interest is high, with 42% of Europeans finding fish alternatives appealing, and product variety is expanding quickly. The analysis also revealed notable regional differences in formulation, nutrient content, and labelling. Some products …

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Steakholder Foods

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Retail & E-Commerce

Steakholder Foods Debuts Plant-Based White Fish and Salmon Products in Israel

Steakholder Foods, a company specializing in alternative protein production and 3D-printing technologies, has introduced its first plant-based white-fish kebabs and salmon patties to retail markets in Israel. These products, under the Green Future (Atid Yarok) brand, are now available at leading vegan specialty outlets across the country. The products are being manufactured by Steakholder’s partner, Bondor Foods, following a successful pilot phase and subsequent commercial scale-up. First full product cycle This product launch represents the company’s first full product cycle, from premix supply to consumer sales. The announcement follows an earlier purchase order made by the company in September 2024, which paved the way for these new products to reach market shelves. Steakholder Foods, founded in 2019, is focused on advancing alternative protein solutions through …

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Multus

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Cultivated Seafood

Multus and Fishway Combine Expertise to Tackle Global Seafood Shortfall With Cultivated Fish

Fishway and Multus Biotechnology have entered into a strategic partnership to develop scalable, cost-effective cultivated fish. The collaboration brings together Fishway’s expertise in fish cell line development and Multus’ AI-driven platform for optimising growth media, with both companies aiming to accelerate the availability of cultivated seafood. Making cultivated fish viable The new partnership between the two companies is seen as a key step in addressing the challenges of scaling up cultivated fish production. According to Multus, “We’re very pleased to be working with Fishway. Between Fishway’s expertise in fish cell lines and Multus’ AI-enabled rapid optimisation platform, we’re excited to see what this partnership can do for reaching price parity.” This collaboration will also allow the companies to design tailored, scalable growth media specifically for …

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plant-based seafood

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Studies & Numbers

Report: Plant-Based Seafood Could Provide the Nutritional Benefits of Fish Without the Environmental Cost

A new report by ProVeg has found that with targeted improvements in nutritional formulation, plant-based seafood could provide the nutritional benefits of fish with a much smaller impact on the environment. The report analyzes the nutritional value of 100 plant-based fish products sold in supermarkets across 11 countries, including alternatives to fish sticks, burgers, filets, canned tuna, smoked salmon, shrimp, and calamari.   The research pays special attention to key nutrients that motivate consumers to choose fish, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, iodine, and vitamin B12. It also analyzes levels of fiber, which is only found in plants, along with saturated fat and salt, which should be limited for health reasons. “We have found that there are already some great plant-based fish products on …

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BLUU

© BLUU

Cultivated Seafood

VAN HEES and BLUU Seafood Partner to Develop Hybrid Cultured Fish Products

VAN HEES, a German family-owned company with nearly 80 years of experience in the food industry, has entered into a strategic collaboration with BLUU Seafood, a leading European food biotech specializing in cultured fish. The partnership, which was initiated in May, combines VAN HEES’ expertise in functional ingredients and seasoning technology with BLUU Seafood’s innovations in cell-based fish production. VAN HEES has a long-standing reputation for developing flavorings, spice mixes, and functional additives for various food sectors, including meat, plant-based, and vegan products. The company’s involvement in this partnership will focus on the development of hybrid products that integrate plant-based ingredients with cultured fish cells, with the objective of creating sustainable, high-quality alternatives to traditional fish and seafood products. “We see great potential in cultured …

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EFISHient Protein

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R&D

EFISHient Protein Develops Plant-Based Grouper Fillet Prototype Ahead of Cultivated Product

EFISHient Protein has introduced its first prototype of a plant-based grouper fillet, replicating the texture and structure of the widely consumed white fish. The product is formulated from plant-derived ingredients, designed for commercial preparation and distribution, offering an alternative to traditional seafood without impacting marine ecosystems. Bridging the gap The company’s development of the plant-based fillet serves as an interim step in its research and development pipeline while progressing toward a cultivated grouper fillet. The future product will combine real grouper fish cells with cultivated seafood technology to replicate the sensory and nutritional profile of wild-caught grouper. EFISHient Protein’s cultivated fillet is intended to provide a protein-rich option free from antibiotics, mercury, and microplastics, issues commonly associated with conventional seafood. Dana Levin, CEO of EFISHient …

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ORF Genetics and Cellmeat host cultivated shellfish tasting

Image courtesy of ORF Genetics

Seafood

ORF Genetics and Cellmeat Host “First Cultivated Shellfish Tasting Outside Asia” in Iceland

Last week, Icelandic plant biotechnology company ORF Genetics partnered with South Korean cultivated seafood startup Cellmeat to host what was claimed to be the first cultivated shellfish tasting held outside Asia. The tasting took place at the Iceland Ocean Cluster, a center that supports, incubates, and invests in startups creating value from under-utilized marine resources. Among the attendees were Mr. Björn Skúlason, the First Gentleman of Iceland, and Mrs. Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. Guests were given the opportunity to taste cultivated shellfish products prepared by South Korean chef Jinyoung Park. Around a year ago, ORF Genetics facilitated what was claimed to be Europe’s first cultivated meat tasting in partnership with Australian cultivated quail producer Vow. The event was attended …

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Steakholder Foods 3D bio-prints the world's first cultivated fish fillet

© Shlomi Arbiv

Cultivated Seafood

UMAMI Bioworks and Steakholder Foods Successfully Scale 3D-Printed Cultivated Fish, Poised to Expand the Seafood Market

Singapore’s UMAMI Bioworks and Israel’s Steakholder Foods have completed a two-year R&D collaboration to develop a scalable process for 3D-printed cultivated fish production, funded by the Singapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (SIIRD). According to the companies, the partnership has “laid the groundwork” for producing structured cultivated fish fillets at scalable volumes using 3D printing technology and customized bio-inks, marking a significant step toward bringing these products to the market. As part of the project, a grouper fillet, claimed to be the world’s first 3D bio-printed cultivated fish fillet, was unveiled in early 2023. Building on this innovation, the companies have developed a portfolio of prototypes to showcase the versatility of 3D printing and cultivated cells in making alternatives that match the characteristics of traditional seafood. Mihir …

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Cultivated grouper fillet

Cultivated grouper fillet © UMAMI Bioworks

Cultivated Seafood

UMAMI Bioworks to Bring Cultivated White Fish to the UK Amid New Regulatory Landscape

UMAMI Bioworks, a startup from Singapore developing cultivated seafood technologies, announces the launch of operations in the UK, marking its first European expansion. UMAMI Bioworks has developed a platform for cultivated seafood to address the overfishing crisis with sustainable alternatives, positioning itself as a leader in the blue bioeconomy. By introducing its technology in the UK, the company aims to deliver a high-quality pipeline of cultivated seafood products, starting with white fish. The UK’s supportive regulatory framework, evidenced by the recent launch of a regulatory sandbox for cultivated proteins and reforms to streamline the regulatory process for regulated foods (which includes cultivated seafood), will allow the company to capitalize on the UK market. CEO Mihir Pershad shares, “Our decision to enter the UK market aligns …

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Plates with meat and fish

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Market & Trends

While Meat and Fish Remain a Staple for Most US Consumers, 14% of Gen Z Embrace Plant-Based

Despite growing interest in plant-based diets, meat and fish continue to dominate the plates of US consumers, according to recent data. A new Statista Consumer Insights survey found that 14% of US adults born between 1995 and 2012 identify as either vegan or vegetarian. The proportion of people following a plant-based diet declines with age. Among those born between 1965 and 1979, 3% report being vegetarian and 2% vegan, while only 2% of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) say they are vegetarian, and just 1% identify as vegan. Flexitarian / reducetarian diet gaining traction Although the number of strict vegans and vegetarians is relatively low, a growing number of Americans are opting for a more flexible approach to reducing meat consumption, with 7% to 15% of …

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Steakholder Foods has received its first-ever purchase order from Bondor Foods, a renowned frozen foods manufacturer and institutional market distributor.

© Steakholder Foods

Company News

Steakholder Foods Secures First Revenue Stream with New Order of Plant-Based Fish Blends

Alternative proteins and 3D printing innovator Steakholder Foods (Nasdaq: STKH) announces it has received its first-ever purchase order from Bondor Foods, a renowned frozen foods manufacturer and institutional market distributor. Under a new commercial sales agreement, Steakholder Foods will supply its SHFISH premix blend for Bondor Foods’ new line of plant-based white fish and salmon patties. The order marks the company’s first income milestone, securing its initial product revenue stream in 2024. The deal follows successful local partnerships to integrate plant-based steaks and fish into gourmet menus and the recent opening of a demonstration center at its headquarters in Rehovot, Israel, to showcase the possibilities of 3D-printed foods. Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods, shared: “We are extremely excited to announce this first purchase order …

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AQUA Cultured Foods

© AQUA Cultured Foods

Fermentation

AQUA Cultured Foods’ Fermented Fish-Free Seafood Receives GRAS Allowing Sale in US

Chicago-based alternative protein company AQUA Cultured Foods has announced that its fish-free seafood, created through fermentation, has been deemed safe for human consumption. The company’s cellulose-based products have been self-affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) following a review by an independent panel of scientific and toxicology experts. This GRAS status allows AQUA Cultured Foods to sell its products in the United States. Cellulose-based alt seafood AQUA’s fish-free seafood, which includes tuna and scallops, is primarily composed of cellulose grown through biomass fermentation. This method allows the products to closely replicate the texture and appearance of traditional seafood. The company’s offerings are clean-label, consisting of minimal ingredients. AQUA’s scallops are made from water, cellulose, and plant-derived flavors designed to mimic the oceanic notes of real …

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Premazon will roll out new plant-based fish products using Steakholder Food's premix blend for fish.

© Steakholder Foods

Company News

Steakholder Foods Unveils Plant-Based Fish Kebab Deal with Frozen Food Distributor Premazon

Following successful local partnerships to integrate plant-based steaks and fish into gourmet menus, Steakholder Foods (Nasdaq: STKH) announces a new agreement to bolster its presence in the growing plant-based food market. Leveraging Steakholder Foods’s proprietary SHFISH premix blend to meet the highest taste, texture, and nutrition standards, the renowned frozen foods manufacturer Premazon will roll out new plant-based fish products. Premazon, a key player in the institutional market, produces “warm serve” products optimized for superior nutritional values, including lower fat and sodium. It operates in Israel and boasts a vast distribution network encompassing hotels, restaurants, catering services, and various food service establishments. Through this partnership, it will expand its portfolio with a new line of plant-based white fish kebabs catering to a diverse and rapidly growing consumer …

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A partnership between the Singapore’s UMAMI Bioworks and the young US company Friends & Family Pet Food Co (FnF) is set to launch one of world's first cultivated fish cat treats brand in Singapore and San Francisco in early 2025.

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Company News

UMAMI Bioworks and Friends & Family Pet Food Co. to Launch Cultivated Fish Cat Treats in 2025

A partnership between Singapore’s UMAMI Bioworks, (previously Umami Meats) and the young US company Friends & Family Pet Food Co. (recently part of the ProVeg Incubator’s 12th cohort) is set to launch one of the world’s first cultivated fish cat treats in Singapore and in San Francisco, USA, early next year. The new products, reportedly crafted with high-quality cultivated fish proteins enriched with high-value microalgae and essential nutrients, aimed to promote what FnF calls a “Longevity Diet” for cats. In addition, the animal and ocean-friendly cat food lineup offers significant environmental benefits since cultivated fish production is more resource-efficient, requiring less land, water, and feed than traditional fishing methods or aquaculture. Joshua Errett, Friends & Family CEO and founder, states, “Together, we have created a …

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Alex Bergquist, co founder of Seed to Surf

Alex Bergquist, co founder, Seed to Surf. Image supplied

Interviews

Seed to Surf: “With Tinned Fish Being Popular Right Now, We’re On Trend in the Marketplace”

Canada’s Seed to Surf is unique in its offering of tinned fish created from whole vegetables and fungi to create a “fresh reinterpretation of seafood that highlights the incredible potential of plants”. While the brand is recreating the traditional seafood experience with these products, Seed to Surf stresses that these are not replicas but, rather, an “homage to vegetables and their incredible capacity to take on taste and texture. By preserving and preparing them just right, we found vegetables can remind us of the seafood classics we love (or loved)”. These unusual, original canned products are firm consumer favourites, so we had to catch up with co-founder Alex Bergquist, still celebrating the brand’s recent listing at over 150 Whole Foods Market locations in North America, to …

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Manufacturing & Technology

Clextral Introduces Texturizing Tech for Realistic Meat & Fish Whole Cuts

Clextral, a French firm specializing in machinery for food production, has developed innovative equipment for producing realistic plant-based meat and fish whole cuts: Galaxy Texturation Technology. Designed explicitly for vegetable protein texturization, Clextral’s new patented technology enables the production of larger, softer, more fibrous products that mimic the texture of meat or fish without compromising production capacity: 400 kg of product per hour. Gilles Maller, Senior Vice President and Head of Clextral Americas Business Unit, commented, “Creating a great product requires a 360° view of customer expectations and a deep understanding of how the product is processed.” Flexibility for innovation Clextral says its new machinery delivers unmatched product performance by combining two processes: shear cell fibrillation and continuous extrusion. As explained by the company, by …

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A plant-based fish fillet by Steakholder Foods

© Steakholder Foods

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Steakholder Foods & Sherry Herring Partner to Launch Gourmet Vegan Salads with 3D Printed Plant-Based Fish

Alt proteins and 3D printing innovator Steakholder Foods (Nasdaq: STKH) announces a partnership with Sherry Herring, a gourmet fish delicacies brand, to commercialize a new line of vegan fish salads in Israel. The salads will feature seafood made with Steakholder Foods’ proprietary SHFISH premix blend specially developed for 3D-printing plant-based white fish. Fillets crafted with SHFISH are said to mimic the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of fish while being more sustainable and environmentally friendly, “redefining the seafood experience.” The new vegan fish salad line will tap into new market segments and cater to the rising popularity of plant-based diets by leveraging Sherry Herring’s established distribution network in delis and restaurants, the company said in the announcement. Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods, highlights the collaboration …

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Seed to Surf

© Seed to Surf

Retail & E-Commerce

Tinned Plant-Based Fish Brand Seed to Surf Announces National Whole Foods Rollout

Seed to Surf, a Canadian plant-based seafood company, has announced its expansion into more than 150 Whole Foods Market locations across North America starting this month. The company, which specializes in tinned plant-based fish, was recently highlighted in the Whole Foods 2024 Trend Report for its innovative approach to plant-based seafood, earning recognition for “Fancy Faux Fish” and “Putting the ‘Plant’ Back in ‘Plant-Based.’” A recent survey commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council found North Americans are concerned about the oceans, that 19% would eat more seafood if they knew it wouldn’t harm the oceans, and 64% felt an increased desire to protect the marine environment, indicating a consumer desire for such products in line with a demand for seafood that is not detrimental to …

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Vegan fish and chips by The No Catch Co. Image supplied by PETA

Gastronomy & Food Service

PETA Reveals The “UK’s Best” Vegan Fish and Chips Spots

Animal rights charity PETA has published a list titled “The UK’s Best Vegan Fish and Chips Spots”, highlighting eateries around the country serving plant-based versions of the classic British dish. Among the top-rated spots are: The Good Catch Co — Founded by activist Ed Winters (Earthling Ed) and his business partner Kevyn Bourke, this plant-based fish and chip shop in Brighton has an impressive menu featuring battered “cod” and smoked “haddock”, along with Popcorn Prawnz, lemon “shrimp”, and vegan calamari. In 2021, Winters and Bourke told vegconomist that their aim was to “take on the fish and chip industry”. Harbour Lights — This Falmouth shop has been recognised for its tofu-based vegan fish, which is marinated in brine and lemon juice before being wrapped in …

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Daphna Heffetz, CEO, Wanda Fish

Daphna Heffetz CEO. Image credit Chen Galili

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Wanda Fish: “Our Mission is to Supply a Delicious and Healthy Product That Will Also Do Good to Our Planet”

Wanda Fish Technologies is an Israeli food-tech startup producing cultivated fish products. Less than three years after it was founded, the company has just announced the successful development of its first whole-cut cultivated bluefin tuna prototype, toro sashimi. This progress has partly been made possible by Wanda Fish’s collaboration with Tufts University, which began in 2022 with the aim of accelerating the development of cultivated fish. The startup also raised $7 million in seed funding last year to scale the production of its cultivated bluefin tuna. CEO and co-founder Daphna Heffetz spoke to us about the challenges and benefits of cultivated seafood production, as well as the future potential of the technology. Can you introduce us to Wanda Fish? What was your motivation to start …

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