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A plant-based fish company has hit back after being banned from exhibiting at a major seafood expo next year.
The three-day Seafood Expo North America 2020 says it won’t allow Atlantic Natural Food to showcase its Linda Loma TUNO product under a new policy.
Seafood only
“One of the unique aspects of Seafood Expo North America for our attending buyers is that we are specifically seafood-focused compared to other general food events,” Liz Plizga, group vice president for Diversified told Undercurrent News.
“As we are monitoring this alternative protein option, for 2020, it has been determined that protein products be limited to seafood proteins, where a majority of the product’s ingredients need to be seafood or aquatic in nature.
“Similarly, buyers would not find chicken, pork, or beef products exhibited at the event.”
‘Not accepting this’
But Atlantic Natural founder Doug Hines has blasted this policy, saying: “Despite having seaweed and algae in our product, we were denied admittance to the show.
“We’re not tolerating this non-acceptance and will continue our unwavering mission to help the world feed nine plus billion people by the year 2050 through our line of plant-based products while saving the oceans.”
Limits growth
The Good Food Institute believes the policy stifles innovation when it comes to alternative protein development.
“The move to disallow the participation of a plant-based seafood company limits the growth of a sustainable, healthy, and just method of producing the same seafood products that consumers want,” GFI’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative Manager, Jen Lamy, said in a statement sent to Plant Based News.
“Ensuring that these alternative methods of production are available to buyers in convenient settings like Seafood Expo North America will enhance and increase consumer choice.”
