Handy Seafood debuts plant-based crab cake analog

Handy Seafood, a 128-year-old seafood processor, is entering the plant-based seafood analog market.

Salisbury, Maryland, U.S.A.-based Handy is launching its Plant-based Crabless Cake analog to retailers and foodservice distributors nationwide.

“As the leader in crab cakes and a leader in seafood innovation, we strive to capitalize on market-driven opportunities such as plant-based seafood,” Handy Director of Marketing Maureen Johnson told SeafoodSource.

Handy’s research indicates that there is “huge potential for a product that meets the needs of flexitarian consumers without sacrificing taste,” Johnson said. “Our goal with this product is to satisfy a growing global demand for delicious food that supports a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.” 

Plant-based foods are fast-growing in popularity around the world and are propelled primarily by the rise of flexitarianism, Handy noted in a press release. Flexitarian consumers – who make up 42 percent of the market – are actively restricting animal-based products, but have not fully eliminated these from their diet.

The plant-based foods market could make up to 7.7 percent of the global protein market by 2030, with a value of over USD 162 billion (EUR 143 billion), up from USD 29.4 billion (EUR 26 billion) in 2020, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

Under development for several months, Handy’s culinary team “took that same purposeful approach in the development of this product,” Johnson said.

“Crab Cakes are at the very heart of our business and something that we’re passionate about. We put a lot of emphasis on providing consumers with the best-tasting products made with the highest quality ingredients. In terms of flavor and texture, our Plant-Based Crabless Cake is second to none in its category,” Johnson said.

The entree-sized Plant-based Crabless Cake analog has a “crab cake-like texture, and a savory Maryland-style flavor complemented with red and green peppers, and onions,” Johnson said. Each plant-based crab cake analog contains 10 grams of Handy’s proprietary pea and wheat protein blend.

In addition, the product is “affordable” and “available for anyone wanting to expand their grocery list to include more plant-based vegan items,” Johnson said.

The product is produced at Handy’s Crisfield, Maryland, U.S.A. plant, which is certified by the BRC (British Retail Consortium) Global Standard for Food Safety.

Photo courtesy of Handy Seafood