Tofurky, a pioneering plant-based meat company founded in 1995 in the U.S., has partnered with U.S. start-up Triton Algae Innovations to co-develop and produce new products featuring Triton’s protein-rich Essential Red algae. The companies said they were excited to partner together and believe that the exploration of new kinds of proteins offers new opportunities to develop “tasty and sustainable” plant-based foods.
“This is a unique and timely opportunity for us to combine our knowledge and understanding of the plant-based market with the nutrition and one-of-a-kind natural supply-chain technology created by Triton’s algae,” explained Jaime Athos, president and CEO of Tofurky.
“While we can’t share what it is just yet, the result will entail products that resonate with our core audience, and also be attractive to the rapidly growing segment of new flexitarians increasingly drawn to plant-based foods.”
Triton bills its Essential Red algae as rich in protein, vitamin A, iron, omega 3 fatty acids and containing all amino acids, making it a nutrient dense ingredient in any new product formulations. Triton grows the single-celled freshwater algae heterotrophically in specialised fermentation tanks.
Tofurky was an early pioneer in the plant-based meat sector and introduced products such as Tofurky Roast, Sausages and Deli Slices beginning in the 1990s. Athos explained that although the company has traditionally relied on soy and wheat as base ingredients, it has begun to explore a broader range of ingredients, hinting, “You’re going to see more variety out of Tofurky in the future, and we’re definitely diversifying the partnership we have with ingredient companies.”
Products created within the partnership will be co-branded and are expected to reach U.S. retail stores in the first quarter of 2022.
READ MORE: Tofurky teams up with Triton Algae Innovations for algae-fueled ‘meat innovations’ set to launch in Q1, 2022 [Food Navigator]
READ MORE IN ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS: Food Frontier News