Potentially reshaping the future of food production, lab-grown, 3D-printed salmon made its way to supermarket shelves for the first time.
This innovative product is the brainchild of Revo Foods, a start-up company that aims to curb global overfishing and reduce carbon emissions.
The company’s vegan salmon, crafted through advanced 3D printing technology, uses between 77 to 86 percent less carbon dioxide and 95 percent less freshwater, compared to conventional methods of obtaining wild-caught salmon.
This significant reduction in environmental impact marks a promising step towards more sustainable food production practices.
Lab-grown, 3D-printed SALMON goes on supermarket shelves for the first time 👀 article and pic from DM. I chuckled at the subliminal messaging here. Just look at the hand, lovingly pouring something pink & no doubt deliciously toxic over it ☠️ pic.twitter.com/reGmG1Zkvp
— Essex Girl Living In Spain (@holidaybuzz10) September 21, 2023
Revo Foods’ CEO, Robin Simsa, hailed this achievement as the dawn of a “creative food revolution,” where food can be tailored precisely according to customer needs.
The company’s vegan salmon, despite being less protein-rich than its natural counterpart, still boasts a substantial 9.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, catering to the dietary needs of health-conscious consumers.
To create their 3D-printed salmon, Revo Foods collaborated with start-up Mycorena, which engineered a mycoprotein from fungi capable of being distributed and deposited through a 3D printer.
This partnership underscores the potential of cross-industry collaboration in driving innovation and sustainability in the food sector.
Over the past few years, researchers have managed to 3D-print a variety of food products, ranging from laser-cooked cheesecake to lab-grown meat.
The driving force behind these developments is the belief that printed food alternatives could make food production more environmentally sustainable.
2 beware! A diet of meat, eggs and milk is healthier than plant-based foods, according to review of 500 studies by the United Nations https://t.co/kuMHLAiK3w
— Goldie Elaine (@TeresaB16548284) September 21, 2023
The fishing industry remains under scrutiny for over a decade, due to concerns about overfishing and mass-trawling techniques that deplete global fish stocks and inadvertently kill non-target species.
Approximately 34 percent of global fish stocks have been depleted due to these practices. Furthermore, food production accounts for roughly a quarter of carbon emissions, with livestock and fish farms contributing 31 percent of this subset.
Revo Foods’ 3D-printed salmon offers a viable solution to these pressing environmental issues. By reducing the reliance on wild-caught salmon, the company hopes to alleviate the strain on natural fisheries worldwide.
Moreover, the production of ‘The Fillet,’ as the product is named, is less energy-intensive despite its high-tech manufacturing process, further underscoring its sustainability credentials.
