Friend of the Sea awards second approval under new plant-based certification

Milan, Italy-based Friend of the Sea has certified Nutriterra from Nuseed Nutritional as a sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids, the certifier announced on 23 June.

Nutriterra can now bare the Friend of the Sea logo, signifying “its commitment to sustainable production practices.” It is the second product to receive the new plant-based certification from Friend of the Sea, following Nuseed’s Aquaterra.

A plant-based source of omega-3s, Nutriterra Total Omega-3 is derived from Nuseed omega-3 canola oil, DHA, EPA, and ALA, providing “the spectrum of short and long-chain fatty acids,” Friend of the Sea said in a press release.

“Nutriterra has been developed with innovative plant-to-plant biotechnology to deliver the nutrition of microalgae through the renewable canola seed. By investing in scientific research, Nuseed created a sustainable source of plant-based omega-3 that spares the oceans and protects the land following Friend of the Sea certification guidelines,” the organization said.

Nuseed Nutritional General Manager Benita Boettner said that consumer conscientiousness for ocean health has informed the company’s approach to products like Nutriterra.

“Consumers are deeply concerned about ocean health. Nuseed’s sophisticated technology has the potential to double the world’s supply of DHA without depleting ocean resources. Consumers are also looking for better tasting options. Nutriterra provides total omega-3 nutrition with a milder sensory experience than marine oils,” Boettner said.

With the Friend of the Sea certification, Nutriterra attests to the sustainable production of its canola crops, and fulfills the following criteria:

• Safeguarding of the ecosystem.
• Protection of wild fauna and flora.
• Protection of soil and water resources.
• Prohibition of the use of dangerous substances.
• Responsible waste and energy management.
• Social responsibility of the whole chain.
• Legal compliance.

“World Sustainability Organization (WSO) and Good Food Institute (Global) collaborated and announced world’s first plant-based seafood certification initiative in December 2020. Since then, much of the efforts has been paid to create an awareness about this newly developed initiative and its importance. I am happy to see that we started getting positive response and Nutriterra become the first international company in the world to trust on our scientifically led initiative of plant-based seafood certification and this is a remarkable moment for us,” Amod Ashok Salgaonkar, the global project coordinator of the plant-based seafood initiative at the World Sustainability Organization, said.

Friend of the Sea Founder and CEO Paolo Bray said the certifier is “thrilled to see how innovation can support sustainability efforts,” as is apparent in Nutriterra.

“We’re pleased to announce the certification of this new ingredient from the Nuseed family who has shown a strong commitment to sustainable practices,” Bray said.

Photo courtesy of Friend of the Sea