Europe’s leading frozen food manufacturer, Nomad Foods Ltd. is investing in California-based startup BlueNalu to produce fish, crustaceans and shellfish from cell cultures. (1)
The new frontier of biotech–on the long wave of Lab Meat, which in turn attracts billion-dollar investments (2)–is more topical than you might think. Here’s why.
Nomad Foods, the European leader in frozen foods
Nomad Foods Ltd.
., a British group listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE NOMD), owns numerous brands including Iglo and Findus, La Cocinera and Green Cuisine, Birds Eye pizza, Aunt Bessie’s, Goodfella’s. Production sites in 14 countries on the old continent are now joined by those of Hungary’s Fortenova Frozen (Ledo and Frikom brands, among others), itself a market leader in all countries of the former Yugoslavia, whose acquisition for € 615 million was completed on 30.9.21. (3)
Sustainability has a priority role in the group’s strategies, with effective focus on the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in UN Agenda 2030. (4) To the point of including, among the KPIs(Key Performance Indicators) to be considered in refinancing plans, the levels of:
– sustainability of raw materials. Fish and vegetable products, packaging. Target 100% by 2025 and 2022, respectively,
– Abatement of greenhouse gas emissions. With already impressive results and recent membership in the Science Based Targets Initiative(SBTsI).
Sustainable fish, the great challenge
‘Sustainable fish ‘-in both meanings of ‘sustainable fisheries’ and ‘sustainable aquaculture’-represents one of the biggest challenges to fulfill the goals of food security (#SDG2), sustainable production and consumption (#SDG12) and especially ‘Life below water‘ (#SDG14).
Nomad Foods Group is already now the largest buyer of sustainable wild fish globally. And he is committed, among other things, to promoting the increased consumption of plant foods. It also emphasizes how Europe is the world’s largest importer of fishery resources, as consumption exceeds three times production(EU Blue Economy Report 2021. See note 5).
Alt Fish, the alternatives to fish
Research, as it turns out, is already moving toward producing alternatives to fish from plant-based raw materials. (6) This is the direction taken by the Nestlé Group, which on 7.10.21 announced the launch of plant-based alternatives to shrimp – the vegan Garden Gourmet Vrimp, made with seaweed, peas and konjac root-after the success of the Garden Gourmet Vtuna (vegan alternative to tuna. See note 7).
Fish from cell cultures, on the other hand, is the area of interest for Nomad Foods, which has therefore entered into a collaboration with
BlueNalu
. A startup launched in 2018 in San Diego (California, USA), which in just a few years has achieved leadership in laboratory development of a variety of seafood products from fish cells. Thus, consumer attitudes and the context of the rules will be analyzed for developments.
The avant-garde
‘We are at the forefront of a generational shift towards healthier and more sustainable food and are pleased to announce our partnership with BlueNalu. Their revolutionary technology in cell-grown seafood aligns perfectly with our purpose and will allow us to continue to introduce innovative and tasty seafood products that are good for people, good for the planet, and affordable for everyone’ (Stéfan Descheemaeker, Nomad Foods, CEO).
Beyond good and evil, the reasoning is unimpeachable. With only one possible, however transitory, regulatory obstacle.
Consumer attitudes
The process developed by BlueNalu isolates fish cells from muscle, fat, and connective tissue and promotes their multiplication in a suitable culture environment. Without genetic modification (as is the case with AA salmon, AquAdvantage, developed a dozen years ago). Consumers may welcome this type of product for a number of reasons:
– sustainability. It is possible to preserve the genetic identity of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans that may be overfished (therefore at risk of extinction), difficult to breed, or sourced near countries of consumption, depending on the case. Or again, derived from worker abuse,
– FOOD SAFETY. Biotech fish products pose no risk of contamination from heavy metals, microplastics, parasites (e.g., Anisakis) and other contaminants (from additives to antibiotic residues),
– nutritional safety. High biological value protein, Omega 3 fatty acids in the ideal supply(EPA+DHA),
– convenience. Ready-to-eat sales formats, without the need for cleaning or waste, can overcome many people’s hesitations toward fish preparation,
– quality/price. Value for money can play a winning role, and that is also what a ubiquitous giant like Nomad Foods relies on.
Investments and collaborations
As of early 2021, BlueNalu has raised investments of $60 million. Thanks to which it will be possible to build a pilot plant, start production and distribution in the U.S. of fish from cell cultures, for initial market testing.
BlueNalu
has already established partnerships with various giants. Pulmuone Co, Ltd. in South Korea, Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan, Thai Union in Thailand (owner of Rio Mare in Italy).
Other startups such as.
Bluu Biosciences
(Berlin, Germany),
Finless Foods
(Emeryville, California, USA),
Wildtype
(San Francisco, CAL, USA) in turn move. AndAltFish from cell cultures is getting closer to our tables.
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Nomad Foods and BlueNalu collaborate to introduce cell-cultured seafood in Europe. Nomad Foods press release, 9/13/21. https://www.nomadfoods.com/news/nomad-foods-and-bluenalu-collaborate-to-introduce-cell-cultured-seafood-in-europe/
(2) Dario Dongo. Israel, Future Meat. First lab-grown meat industry kicks off. FT (Food Times). 4.7.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/israele-future-meat-al-via-la-prima-industria-di-carne-coltivata-in-laboratorio
(3) Nomad Foods Completes Acquisition of Fortenova Group’s Frozen Food Business and Updates Guidance. Nomad Foods press release, 9/30/21. https://www.nomadfoods.com/news/nomad-foods-completes-acquisition-of-fortenova-groups-frozen-food-business-and-updates-guidance/
(4) Nomad Foods. Sustainability report 2020, https://www.nomadfoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2020-nomadfoodsreport-final-v2.pdf
(5) European Commission, Joint Research Center. EU Blue Economy Report 2021. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/0b0c5bfd-c737-11eb-a925-01aa75ed71a1
(6) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Alt Fish, the plant-based alternatives to fish products. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 9/17/21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/alt-fish-le-alternative-vegetali-ai-prodotti-ittici
(7) Plant-based alternatives to egg and shrimp now on menu at Nestlé. Nestlé press release, 7.10.21, https://www.nestle.com/media/news/plant-based-alternatives-egg-shrimp
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
