THE REAL DEAL

We are in conversations with regulators both in Singapore (SFA) and the US (FDA). We expect approval in Singapore by the second half of 2024 and in the US in 2025. We are also in close contact with relevant authorities in Brussels to hand in our Novel Food proposal to the EU as soon as possible.

Cells need water, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to grow – so they are fed a solution that provides all these nutrients. These can be sourced from plants such as beans, sugar cane or rape seed, but we are also evaluating yeast, algae, and mushrooms as sources. It is also possible to use agricultural side streams that would otherwise go to waste, and we are working on that, too.

FBS has historically been used in research and development to cultivate cells. We are proud that we have been able to cultivate cells successfully without FBS.

Except for some known protein allergens such as soy, we do not have any other allegens in our end product. Nevertheless, the entire end product will undergo several allergen tests to make sure there is no new allergens in our products.

It is absolutely safe!

Potentially even safer than conventional fish, which has the risk of being contaminated with heavy metals, microplastics, and other pollutants while cultivated fish can be produced under very controlled conditions. Further, before our products will enter the market they have to undergo a supercritical quality and toxicology analysis, which are required according to common food regulatory rules. Local governments will approve the products only after they are proven to be safe for human consumption. Cells isolated from fish are even more susceptible to toxic compounds and low quality ingredients than cells in a living fish. Hence, we adhere to highest quality standards to grow our cells in a healthy way.

We have developed fish balls, fish fingers and caviar. Right now, these products are so-called hybrid products. It consists of our real fish cells and some plant-based proteins such as soy to enhance the texture.

We mainly work with Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. In addition to this, we also have access to other cell lines such as common carp and have developed a protocol to establish cell lines from other species if needed.

Cultivated fish is just fish.  

Except, instead of raising or catching a whole animal in order to only use certain parts for eating, we grow these parts directly from cells using biotechnology. This also distinguishes cultivated fish from plant-based alternatives. Instead of creating an alternative product, the aim is to create fish products, just in a different way which is less harmful to animals and sustainable for the environment.

Cultivating fish starts with taking a small sample of tissue from an animal, e.g., a healthy young Atlantic salmon from a controlled research aquaculture. The cells are then isolated, and an immortalized cell line is created; through years of research, we have managed to do that without the use of genetic modification or genetic engineering, which many companies use. Immortalization means that the cells can proliferate indefinitely without “growing old”. While several cryovials of our cell lines are stored safely in our cell bank, we use small amounts of cells to start the production cycles. The cells are now put to multiply in a so-called fermenter. Fermenters are very similar to a stainless-steel tank used in brewing beer. It provides a sterile environment that enables processes comparable to those that take place inside an animal's body. It provides the cells with physiological conditions such as temperature, gases and nutrients that the cells need to grow and multiply. As a result, we obtain, large number of cells that is used to make products such as fish balls, nuggets, fingers, but also sashimi or, finally, fillet. For some of these products, our fish cells are combined with plant-based proteins to achieve a better texture.

No. Cultivated fish is real fish. It is mimicking the natural process just that cells are produced in a way which is different from what we are currently used to. The cells are growing in a fermenter. These systems resemble other types of food production, e.g. cheese or beer. So, while it does require some science, there is nothing fictional about it.

No. Thanks to our naturally immortalized cell-lines we do not have to rely on genetic engineering methods. Therefore, our products are non-GMO.

We envision a future in which seafood culinary traditions can be enjoyed for generations to come, without threatening human health, animals, or our planet’s fragile aquatic ecosystems. To make this vision a reality, we produce delicious, nutritious seafood directly from fish cells – no farms, hooks, or nets. It’s good for you, the ocean and our planet. With BLUU, it’s never been more delicious to save our planet.

If you already enjoy seafood, you will enjoy cultivated seafood even more. It provides you with the same nutritional qualities and health benefits. However, you will be able to enjoy our products without having to worry about contaminants like mercury or microplastics. On top of that you will have a clear conscience as we will no longer have to destroy entire ecosystems for a piece of delicious fish.

It is a matter of fact that aquaculture is not as sustainable as it seems to be. In addition to the several environmental problems caused by the fish farms, it is even a bigger problem to feed live fishes that these farms harvest each year. As most fish produced in aquaculture are predators, they need fish meal and fish oil to a certain extent. This comes mainly from wild catches which sets another pressure on the stocks in our oceans. Although the Aquaculture feed industry now puts massive effort into plant-based alternatives, still most fish rely on animal proteins or will suffer from digestive problems (inflammation). We are convinced that we could overcome this problem since we will directly optimize the conditions for the specific cell lines we are using, without risking any inflammation reactions.