Will cell-grown fish be the cat's whiskers?
Companies team up to launch pet treats with 'cultivated' seafood
Cell-grown seafood pioneer UMAMI Bioworks has announced a partnership with Friends & Family Pet Food Co. (FnF) resulting in the co-development and planned launch of the world’s first cat treats made from so-called “cultivated” fish.
The companies said the new High Tide Cat Food brand combines sustainability and nutrition, “connecting with Gen Z and Millennial pet parents”.
“Our collaboration with Friends & Family is a genuine testament to the commercial potential of cultivated seafood in transforming pet nutrition and ultimately human food systems,” said Mihir Pershad, chief executive of UMAMI Bioworks.
“These novel cat treats embody our mission to provide high-quality, sustainable protein sources while alleviating the ecological pressure on our oceans.”
Optimal nutrition
The treats are said to be rich in high-value microalgae, a blend of high-quality cultured proteins and essential nutrients, ensuring that cats receive optimal nutrition.
“Together, we have created a breakthrough product that puts pet health and sustainability at the forefront. These cultivated fish treats are a perfect example of how science and technology can be harnessed to create positive change in the pet food industry,” said Friends & Family chief executive and founder Joshua Errett.
A product showcase is planned for the fourth quarter of this year, followed by a market launch in Singapore and San Francisco in early 2025.
Plug-and-play technology
UMAMI Bioworks – previously Umami Meats - is a Singapore-headquartered biotech company building a plug-and-play, automated cultivated seafood production platform.
It says it combines novel stem cell biology, machine learning, and automation to enable cutting-edge, cost-effective and highly scalable cultivated fish production. Its aim is to enable its production partners to deliver seafood from culturally significant and treasured species, while offering sustainable alternatives to overfishing of threatened and endangered species.
Last week, vegan website Vegconomist reported that UMAMI Bioworks had announced a partnership with India’s premium Science Park and Incubator, IKP Knowledge Park, to accelerate the production of cultivated seafood.
IKP has recently established the Centre for Smart Protein and Sustainable Material Innovation in Bangalore, which facilitates core R&D, innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange for the smart protein sector.
