16 Sep 2023 The world’s first 3D-printed salmon is hitting store shelves

This milestone marks the debut of a 3D-printed meat alternative in supermarkets….

Researchers have been experimenting with seafood alternatives for years, but one company is finally ready to bring its offering to market — and it represents a major moment within the industry.

Austrian-based food-tech startup, Revo Foods, has announced that its 3D-printed vegan fish fillet “inspired by salmon” is heading to European grocery store shelves — a first for 3D-printed food.

According to the company, the arrival of “The Filet” represents a pivotal moment in sustainable food, with 3D-printed consumables ready to scale at industrial volumes. Revo Foods’ Filet is likely to be just the first of many other such 3D-printed edible products to soon hit the market.

“Despite dramatic losses of coral reefs and increasing levels of toxins and micro plastic contaminating fish, consumer demand for seafood has paradoxically skyrocketed in recent decades,” the company announcement explains.

“One promising solution to provide consumers with sustainable alternatives that do not contribute to overfishing is vegan seafood. The key to success of these products lies in recreating an authentic taste that appeals to [consumers].”

The Filet relies on mycoprotein made from nutrition-heavy filamentous fungi, and naturally offers a meat-like texture. Only another 12 ingredients compose Revo’s Filet, such as pea proteins, plant oils, and algae extracts. With its high protein and Omega-3 contents, eating a Revo Filet is still very much like eating regular salmon nutrtionally.

And thanks to its plant-based ingredients, the Filet also boasts a three-week shelf life, a sizable boost from regular salmon products.

An innovative extrusion process

Achieving the right texture and taste that successfully mimic real fish has been a significant challenge in 3D-printed fish production. To develop a convincing seafood experience, scientists and researchers around the world are working to optimise recipes and printing methods.

One solution that has come out of these efforts is Revo Foods’ innovative extrusion process. This process has seen the introduction of a new generation of authentic salmon substitutes with the characteristic “flakiness” and juicy fibres of fish fillets. 

In addition, Revo Foods has created the first continuous production method for 3D-printed food using its patent-pending 3D-MassFormerTM technology. This allows the company’s unique products to be mass-produced.

“With the milestone of industrial-scale 3D food printing, we are entering a creative food revolution, an era where food is being crafted exactly according to the customer’s needs,” Revo Foods CEO Robin Simsa said.

While Revo’s products are currently only available for European markets, the company says it is actively working to expand its availability “across the globe,” with Simsa telling PopSci the company hopes to enter US markets around 2025.

Source: Revo Foods, Popular Science