The vegan movement has been rapidly growing over the past few years as more people cut animal products out of their diets for health, environmental or ethical reasons. While many plant-based meats like burgers and sausages have come a long way in replicating the taste and texture of their meat counterparts, one category that has proved more difficult to mimic is seafood. However, a new vegan ‘tuna’ product looks set to change that.
The Rise of Global Vegan Tuna
A California startup called Atlast Food Co has developed an innovative process to create a vegan tuna product that closely replicates the texture, flavor and versatility of canned tuna. The founders, who both have a background in food science and biochemistry, spent over 2 years perfecting the recipe. By using a proprietary blend of konjac root, seaweed and seasoning, they have created a rice-sized flake that when cooked mimics the stringy texture of tuna perfectly.
On taste tests, people familiar with tuna have found it difficult to distinguish from the real thing when used in salads, sandwiches or casseroles. “We wanted to develop a product that was not just acceptable as a tuna substitute but one that was truly satisfying on its own merit as a vegan seafood option,” said Atlast co-founder Marci Zaroff. Initial feedback from chefs, food bloggers and consumers has been overwhelmingly positive about the taste and versatility of the vegan tuna.
Global Launch and Partnerships
After a successful initial launch in California last year, Atlast Vegan Tuna is expanding internationally in 2022. Distribution agreements have been signed with major retailers and online stores across Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. This means the product will soon be widely available to the hundreds of millions of flexitarians and vegans globally seeking sustainable seafood alternatives.
In another major development, European food giant Nestle has partnered with Atlast to launch their own brand of packaged vegan tuna products in Europe. Nestle will utilize their vast supply chain and marketing resources to push the new vegan tuna onto supermarket shelves globally. “We were very impressed by the texture and taste Atlast has achieved with their innovative plant-based seafood recipe. This partnership allows us to bring that product to many more consumers around the world who want sustainable protein options,” said Nestle’s VP of plant-based foods.
Consumer and Environmental Benefits
Aside from appealing to ethical vegans, the Global Vegan Tuna offers several other key consumer and environmental advantages over conventional canned tuna:
– Sustainable – Tuna fisheries are facing problems of overfishing and bycatch of endangered species like sharks and sea turtles. Plant-based options have no such issues.
– Healthier – Vegan tuna contains no mercury, cholesterol or saturated fat found in typical canned tuna. It uses nutrient-dense whole foods like konjac root and seaweed instead.
– Cost Savings – As production scales up, the price of vegan tuna is predicted to undercut comparable canned tuna. There are also no fluctuations from tuna supply/demand.
– Versatility – Atlast tuna is suitable for any recipe calling for tuna, from sandwiches and salads to casseroles and pasta dishes. It has a similar neutral flavor that takes on surrounding seasonings.
With its realistic texture, tuna-like taste and wide range of environmental and consumer benefits, the rise of vegan ‘tuna’ products like Atlast is set to revolutionize the seafood market and satisfy both tuna-lovers and vegans alike globally. As distribution grows and prices fall, plant-based seafood looks poised to become a mainstream alternative to traditional canned tuna going forward.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.