Plantish rebrands to Oshi; Boldly Foods launches seafood analog line

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

-Plant-based seafood firm Boldly Foods, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, officially launched its new seafood analog line at the 2023 National Restaurant Association Show, which ran from 20 to 23 May in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. According to a company LinkedIn post. The line consists of nine seafood imitation products: a whitefish analog, a salmon analog, a tuna analog, plant-based crabsticks and calamari steaks and rings, a jumbo prawn analog, a shrimp bite analog, and a baby shrimp analog. 

"I just felt it was time to disrupt the #plantbased sea of sameness with an all-new, positive, and fun experience, and what better way to do this than by offering the #foodservice market the widest range of plant-based seafoods so as to surprise and delight diners with the same classic tastes they love, but at no cost to the ocean," Boldly Foods Co-Founder Allen Zelden wrote on LinkedIn.

-On 12 June, cell-cultured meat and seafood company Upside Foods, based in Berkeley, California U.S.A., has received U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) label approval, the company said in a press release. The company is working with the USDA to obtain a grant for Inspection for its Engineering, Production, and Innovation Center, "the last remaining item in the pre-market regulatory process before the company can commercially produce and sell its cultivated chicken in the United States," the company said.

"The USDA's approval of our label marks a major step forward towards our goal of creating a more humane and sustainable food system," Upside Foods Founder and CEO Uma Valeti said. "We're excited to continue working with the USDA to achieve our next milestone."

-Rehovot, Israel-based Plantish has rebranded to Oshi, it announced in a 12 June press release. The company was founded in 2021 and has since raised USD 14.5 million (EUR 13 million) from investors including Beyond Meat, Oatly, Unovois, and Pitango. The company also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with European retail group Coop to collaborate on the 2025 launch of its salmon analog fillets. The company also teased an upcoming plant-based seafood analog product launch in the U.S. for later this year.

"By rebranding to Oshi, we are embarking on a transformative journey to position ourselves as a leading global seafood company," Oshi Co-Founder and CEO Ofek Ron said. "Our new name, which stems from the word 'Ocean,' represents our values and our commitment to delivering exceptional seafood products that resonate with consumers worldwide. We are dedicated to offering a sustainable and delicious alternative to conventional seafood while promoting a healthier and more environmentally friendly food system."

- WTF Foods, headquartered in  Manila, the Philippines, has launched a meat and seafood analog maker Umani, Minimeinsights reports. Its products will include Filipino-inspired sausage analogs, tuna analogs, tapas analogs, plant-based burgers, and more.  

Photo courtesy of Oshi