Retail & E-Commerce

Canada: Industry Partners Invest $15.3M to Develop New Line of Alt-Seafood Products

Canada’s Konscious Foods, Merit Functional Foods and Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds announce a new partnership to develop an extensive line of plant-based seafood alternatives. Created with a co-investment from Protein Industries Canada (PIC), the line will bring more than 20 sustainably sourced alt-seafood products to North American grocery stores. 

“It’s impressive to see Canadian companies working together to develop new and innovative plant-based seafood”

A total of $15.3M has been committed to the project, including a $5.5M contribution from PIC. That investment reportedly acted as a catalyst for the innovative partnership, and allowed the project to move at a faster, more efficient pace.

The new products will reportedly match the taste and texture of traditional seafood with a focus on clean-label ingredients. To create the line, plant-based seafood brand Konscious Foods will incorporate Canadian-grown and -processed ingredients, including Merit’s pea and canola proteins and seaweed from Pacifico Seaweeds.

Canadian Alt-Seafood Line
©Protein Industries Canada

With several of its own seafood alternatives already in Canadian grocery stores, Konscious expects to launch the upcoming seafood line across North American markets, and expand its presence across grocery and food service channels. 

Experienced team

According to the partners, the growth and success of their project thus far is built on the expertise of its senior team members, which includes Yves Potvin, who founded successful plant-based companies like Yves Veggie Garden and Gardein

“At Konscious, our chefs apply their culinary skills to crafting elevated plant-based foods using simple high-quality ingredients,” said Yves Potvin, CEO of Konscious Foods. “We are grateful for the support that Protein Industries Canada has provided, allowing us to bring innovation to the grocery freezer aisle and helping shoppers make better choices.”

Konscious Plant-Based Sushi
©Konscious Foods

In the last three years, PIC and industry partners have invested over $485 million into growing Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient sector. 

“Canadian consumers are looking for more plant-based food choices, and they want those choices to be developed sustainably and here in Canada whenever possible,” said Protein Industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel.

He continued, “Our processors and manufacturers have the innovative mindset and raw resources to do that, but they often need the investment support. Protein Industries Canada is proud to be one of their potential partners in that area, helping to get new plant-based foods—like these seafood alternatives—into grocery stores sooner, providing Canadian families with new choices of healthy, sustainable food options.”

Alt Seafood Preparation
©Protein Industries Canada

“In-demand products”

“It’s impressive to see Canadian companies working together to develop new and innovative plant-based seafood products,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “This project, with the support of the federal government, is building capacity, leveraging partnerships and creating more jobs and economic growth, all while delivering in-demand products.”

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