Nestle expands beyond vegan burgers, adds plant-based tuna alternative

A pedestrian passes a Nestle SA logo at the Nescafe factory, operated by Nestle SA, in Tutbury, UK | Photographer: Simon Dawson | Bloomberg

Zurich: Nestle SA is adding faux tuna to its growing plant-protein portfolio as the world’s largest food company expands beyond vegan burgers.

The tuna alternative, based on pea protein and wheat gluten, will first be sold in Nestle’s home market of Switzerland, under its Garden Gourmet brand, at the end of August.

While the plant-based seafood industry lags the faux meat and dairy markets — perhaps because fish itself is already considered a healthy alternative to red meat — Nestle is joining an increasing number of competitors trying to win the category. Impossible Foods Inc. said last year that it’s working on fishless fish, while Conagra Brands Inc.’s Gardein sells frozen plant-based fish fillets. Private equity-backed Good Catch makes tuna and crab cakes from legumes.

Concerns about the future of the fishing industry are also rising. The percentage of fish stocks that are within biologically sustainable levels have decreased from 90% in 1974 to 66% in 2017, according to a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report. Fishing nets make up about half of the 79,000 tons of ocean plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, according to a 2018 study.

Nestle introduced sausage substitutes earlier this year and also makes plant-based mince, meatballs, cold cuts and chicken nuggets and fillets.- Bloomberg