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BlueNalu and Nomad Foods Deepen Partnership Amid Strong UK Consumer Appetite for Cell-Cultivated Seafood

UNITED STATES
Thursday, May 01, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

New research highlights health-driven demand for BlueNalu's cell-cultured bluefin tuna in the UK, following the company's acceptance into the FSA regulatory sandbox.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – BlueNalu, a global leader in cell-cultivated seafood, has announced an expanded strategic partnership with Nomad Foods, Europe’s premier frozen food company. This collaboration aims to facilitate the future commercialization of BlueNalu’s cell-cultivated seafood products in the United Kingdom and across Europe. The announcement follows BlueNalu’s recent acceptance into the UK Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) novel foods regulatory sandbox and growing indications of significant consumer interest in the region.

New research commissioned by BlueNalu has revealed strong enthusiasm among UK sushi consumers for its initial commercial product: cell-cultivated bluefin tuna toro. A 2024 survey of 2,000 frequent sushi eaters in the UK demonstrated that 92% of respondents were interested in trying the cell-cultured toro. The primary perceived benefits driving this interest included the potential absence of parasites, pesticides, microplastics, mercury, and antibiotics, closely followed by its high omega-3 content. Furthermore, 73% of respondents indicated they would likely patronize a sushi restaurant offering cell-cultivated toro, and 74% expressed a willingness to pay the same or more compared to conventional bluefin tuna due to its anticipated advantages.

Demonstrating its commitment to transparency and responsible innovation globally, BlueNalu also supported a recent independent academic study in the UK focusing on appropriate nomenclature for these novel products. The study concluded that “cell-cultivated” and “cell-cultured” are suitable consumer labeling terms, meeting crucial regulatory and consumer acceptance criteria. The full pre-print of this research is available here.

“Our cell-cultivated bluefin toro offers a novel, high-quality seafood experience – nutrient-rich, free from environmental contaminants, and designed to complement a global supply chain facing increasing fragility and unpredictability,” stated Lou Cooperhouse, Founder, President, and CEO of BlueNalu. “We are proud to collaborate with trusted partners and forward-thinking regulatory agencies to bring safe, consistent, and desirable seafood to consumers in the coming years. Our acceptance into the UK regulatory sandbox underscores BlueNalu’s position as a global leader at the forefront of food system innovation.”

The UK’s regulatory sandbox program provides a collaborative environment for selected companies to work with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), navigating the regulatory pathways for novel foods and ensuring adherence to the highest standards of food safety and transparency. BlueNalu is currently the only U.S.-based company admitted to the FSA sandbox program and the only participant primarily focused on cell-cultivated seafood.

Nomad Foods and BlueNalu initially established their partnership in 2021 to explore opportunities for introducing cell-cultivated seafood to select markets within the UK and Europe. Following compelling consumer research outcomes, the companies are now concentrating on market-entry strategies in the UK, commencing with premium foodservice channels and limited-time offerings that align with consumer demand for high-quality seafood alternatives.

“As a company with a long and successful track record of introducing innovative and great-tasting fish and seafood products, we are excited to continue our collaboration with BlueNalu to bring this transformative technology to market,” commented Carly Arnold, Chief RDQ Officer at Nomad Foods. “The objectives of cell-cultivated seafood – to offer alternative yet nutritious, safe, and sustainable products – resonate strongly with our commitment to providing consumers with access to delicious seafood that is both beneficial for their health and for the planet.”

With growing regulatory momentum in the UK, strategic partnerships across Europe, and ongoing advancements in the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East, BlueNalu is establishing a strong international foundation for market entry and commercialization. These efforts are further validated by extensive global consumer research, encompassing nearly 10,000 consumer interactions across eight countries over the past year, which has consistently demonstrated broad demand for BlueNalu’s cell-cultivated seafood.

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