Natural Products Expo West
Sally sells seaweed snacks by the seashore: Seaweed highlights at Expo West 2024
Known for its nutrient-density, including essential amino acids, vitamins A, B, C and E, and dietary fiber, among others, as well as its low carbon cultivation footprint, seaweed consumption is expected to rise. The global commercial seaweed market is expected to continue growing, from $6.51bn in 2021 to an estimated $14.6bn by 2031, according to data from Allied Market Research, highlighting the opportunity for seaweed to make its way across the packaged foods industry.
Superfood bacon with a seaweed twist
Superfood bacon-maker, Umaro Foods, showcased its nori and chickpea protein-based bacon alternative at the show. Coconut oil and sunflower oil contribute to its fatty flavor while plant flavors and natural colors, like paprika and red radish juice, contribute to its appearance.
The company spent the last two years in food service, with a 95% repeat purchase rate, Beth Zotter, CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA. With its success in food service, Ummaro is preparing to launch three SKUs—Applewood and Smokey Black Pepper bacon packs and bacon bits, and a vegan and vegetarian frozen bacon egg and cheese sandwich. The company expects to launch its lineup in a major retailer this summer, Zotter said.
With nori sourced from Korea, Zotter emphasized the popularity of red seaweed in toasted seaweed snacks, however the company uses the red protein from the raw version for its patented nori bacon formula.
“We’re using nori because everybody likes it and knows it. It’s what is used for those seaweed snacks …[and] is actually a red seaweed which … when you toast it, it turns green, but the protein starts off as a red protein. We think it’s the most sustainable protein on the planet and so the bacon is our way of introducing consumers to what we believe is the world’s future protein,” Zotter said.
Seaweed’s puff trend
On the snack front, 12tides showcased its USDA certified organic and non-GMO puffed kelp chips on the show floor in Everything, Sea Salt and Chili Pepper, Truffle & Pepper and Vegan Cheddar flavors. The baked chips are cooked in avocado oil and seasoned with natural flavors, according to the company.
12tides partners with regenerative ocean farms in Maine and Alaska to source 600,000 pounds of sugar kelp, which is a yellowish brown marine algae that’s been used as a sweetener due to its thickening and gelling characteristics for food and cosmetics. The company also contributes one percent of its profits to SeaTrees, a non-profit focused on kelp restoration.
Known for its puffed seaweed snacks, Sea Monsters introduced its USDA-organic seaweed sheets at the show in Sea Salt and Teriyaki flavors featuring the brand’s playful packaging.
Additionally, Sea Monsters featured its baked grain and seaweed puffs at the show in four flavors—Sweet Chili, Spicy Korean BBQ, Sour Cream & Onion and Cheese Pizza.
Using regenerative seaweed and sorghum, Sea Monsters’ snacks are flavored with natural and organic flavors with a Non-GMO Project Verified label on its 3.5 ounce packages.
