Excerpt from press release.
Friends & Family Pet Food (FnF), based in San Francisco, California, USA, and UMAMI Bioworks, a Singapore-based farmed seafood company, have partnered to jointly develop and launch what are said to be the world’s first cat treats made from farmed fish.
FnF’s new line of cat treats is designed using a blend of high-value microalgae, high-quality cultured proteins and essential nutrients, derived from UMAMI Bioworks’ advanced cultivation techniques and processes, the company said. Combining UMAMI’s innovation with its proprietary pet food platform, FnF will launch a range of pet food products at the intersection of nutrition and sustainability.
“We are excited to partner with UMAMI Bioworks, who have a clear commitment to bringing their cultured technology to market,” said Joshua Ellett, CEO and founder of Friends & Family. “Together we have created a groundbreaking product that puts pet health and sustainability first. These cultured fish treats are a perfect example of how we can leverage science and technology to drive positive change in the pet food industry.”
Friends & Family said the new farmed fish treats will have significant environmental benefits by reducing reliance on traditional fishing methods that often lead to overfishing and ocean depletion. Farmed fish production is designed to be more resource efficient and require less land, water and feed compared to traditional aquaculture. The treats and future products provide high-protein, high-fiber nutrition for cats and support immune, digestive and overall health, the company said. Rohan Thakur, partner at Pure Ventures, a food industry investor and advisor to Friends & Family and Umami Bioworks, said these are important steps towards a sustainable food future.
“Demonstrating innovative products that sell on shelves and a scalable business model is essential to making a positive impact on the climate. Josh’s pet food expertise and Umami’s technology provide the foundation to create the next generation of pet food products. We are proud to partner with this high-integrity team and build Friends & Family Pet Food Company.”
The cat treats are scheduled to be launched in the Singapore and San Francisco markets in early 2025.
