Nestle adds plant-based shrimp analog, BettaF!sh TU-NAH launches in ALDI

Vevey, Switzerland-based food giant Nestlé recently expanded its plant-based seafood analog offerings with its new shrimp analog Garden Gourmet Vrimp.

Nestle’s plant-based shrimp analog, made with a combination of seaweed, peas, and konjac root, will first be introduced as a “test-and-learn” in a limited number of stores in Switzerland and Germany, according to Nestlé Head of Food Business Wayne England.

"We're proud to have an amazing range of plant-based foods that really deliver on great taste, texture and nutrition. With these new test launches we're continuing to expand our offering to give people great options they can use in their daily cooking, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner with friends or family,” England said.

The launch follows its launch of a plant-based tuna analog last year. Garden Gourmet Vuna is now available in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Additionally, Nestlé has announced the introduction of a plant-based egg analog product and Nestlé research and development teams are already preparing the next wave of plant-based launches, Nestlé Chief Technology Officer Stefan Palzer said in a press release

"Our new plant-based shrimp and egg alternatives have an authentic texture and flavor, as well as a favorable nutritional profile which makes them a good replacement for animal-based shrimp and eggs in a wide range of dishes,” Palzer said. “Our longstanding expertise in plant, protein, and nutritional sciences enabled our teams to develop these great innovations in under a year.”

Separately, Berlin, Germany-based BettaF!sh’s plant-based tuna analog TU-NAH sandwiches will be available in 4,000 ALDI stores next week. ALDI Nord and ALDI SUD stores in Germany will carry three flavors of BettaFish’s TU-NAH sandwiches, BettaF!sh said in a press release.

BettaF!sh, which was founded by Deniz Ficicioglu and Jacob von Manteuffel, is aiming to achieve the “largest rollout in the history of vegan seafood alternatives,” according to a company press release.

“In less than a year, our team of product developers has been able to create a delicious vegan alternative to tuna. This is a product that will help us push the topic of saving our seas and their dwellers to the forefront,” Ficicioglu said.

The expansion of plant-based seafood alternatives formulated using seaweed is "proof that seaweed deserves a place on every plate and that sustainability can be affordable,” the company said.

Photo courtesy of BettaF!sh