Eat Just nabs FDA "no questions" letter; Dongwon brand My Plant introduces tuna analog

SeafoodSource is closely following the plant-based and cell-based seafood alternatives market by compiling a weekly round-up of updates from the sector.

- Consumer tastings of Aqua Cultured Foods seafood analogs will soon commence prior to a public launch, the Chicago, Illinois, U.S.-headquartered start-up announced on 21 March. Included in its line are tuna roll analogs, shrimp dumpling analogs, and scallop crudo analogs. “Public tasting events will help us fine-tune products and learn what preparations are most successful, which will also help us create new menu items with chef and restaurant partners,” Aqua Cultured Foods CEO Anne Palermo said in a press release. “Participants should arrive hungry and prepared to be wowed, because they’ve never had plant-based seafood that’s this delicious and this convincing.”

- Vancouver, Canada-based Modern Plant Based Foods Inc. announced it has acquired 1396974 BC, also known as Northern Pacific Kaviar, for USD 1.6 million (EUR 1.4 million). Northern Pacific Kaviar has created a caviar analog with a base of seaweed, natural flavorings, and chia seeds. "We have established sales and distribution channels into various high-end outlets, and we believe that vegan caviar is a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional caviar. We look forward to making it more accessible to consumers,” Modern Plant Based Foods Avtar Dhaliwal said in a press release. 

- Seoul, South Koera-based Dongwon F&B Co. announced the unveiling of its plant-based tuna released under its alternative protein brand, My Plant. The canned tuna analog is made of a bean protein, created in June 2022, The KoreaBizWire reports.

 - On 21 March, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.-based Eat Just received tacit approval from U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of the agency’s pre-market consultations for the company's cell-cultivated seafood, meat, and poultry. The start-up received a “no questions” letter from the FDA, meaning its cultivated chicken is one step closer to being served in restaurants. The company has already signed on the José Andrés Group, which operates more than 30 restaurants across the country, as its first customer. "The FDA’s ‘no questions’ letter to GOOD Meat is another significant milestone and point of validation for the cell-cultured/cultivated meat, poultry, and seafood industry,"Association for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation Executive Director Robert Rankin said. "GOOD Meat is among the visionary start-ups advancing the food sector with new methods of producing high-quality, safe products that will help to meet the growing demand for meat, poultry, and seafood through delicious, healthy, and sustainable food options. AMPS Innovation members continue to work closely with government agencies to create a safe, robust, and transparent pathway to market for cell-cultured/cultivated meat. This announcement provides additional evidence that the products developed by AMPS Innovation members will be among the safest, most-tested, and well-regulated in the food industry."

Photo courtesy of Dongwon