GOT your head in the sand about plant-based meat and the trend towards veganism, vegetarianism, eating less meat, flexitarianism – whatever it’s being called this week? Well, here comes plant-based tuna, though they are calling it Tuno.

A US manufacturer of better-for-you, shelf stable foods, Atlantic Natural Foods has announced that TUNO™, a new plant-based, canned seafood alternative, is ready for market—and for seafood-free sandwiches and salads all across the US.

The maker says it’s made with non-GMO plant-based protein ingredients, is protein-rich, gluten-free and features the light, flaky texture of seafood and is packed with nutritious omega 3s, but is completely fish-free.

“Created in collaboration with seafood industry experts from around the world to help address the growing crisis of global fish stocks being overfished and depleted, TUNO offers a delicious, ocean safe and mercury-free creation that tastes like real tuna while providing its versatility in a more sustainable form,” the company says.

“For people looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, TUNO is now available online at Amazon, and will begin rolling out to major retailers in December 2018.”

The firm plans to launch its fish-free ‘tuna’ products of its protein brand Loma Linda in the British market by January 2019.

The protein brand intends to offer tins of vegan tuna in three premium flavours: Sriracha, Lemon Pepper, and Spring Water.

Representatives of the brand explained that the products are low in fat, an excellent source of protein, and contain 8 to 20 per cent less sodium than their fish counterparts.

And since they contain no animal products, they are also free from cholesterol.

As well as tins, the brand’s fishless tuna range Tuno is available in sachets in flavours: Thai Sweet Chili, Lemon Pepper, and Sesame Ginger.

Over the past year, All About Healthy Foods, which owns Atlantic Natural Foods (ANF) and Loma Linda, has been modifying the flavours and packaging of its Tuno product to appeal to British consumers.

TUNO is available online at Amazon, and will roll out at select natural retailers and traditional grocers including Walmart, Safeway, Sprouts, Food Lion, Meijer, Shaw’s, Ingles, Big Y, Price Chopper and Save Mart, between now and early 2019.

“We recognize that seafood is not an endless resource,” said ANF founder and chairman, J. Douglas Hines. “If our planet’s resources are not guarded and supplemented with alternative proteins, our future generations will not enjoy simple lifestyle requirements as basic as protein.”

A former seafood industry executive with a rich history in the tuna industry spanning decades, Hines, until recently, was one of the investors in the largest distant water fishing fleet operating in the western Pacific under US Flag.

“As we continue our journey in food development, we are pleased with the enthusiastic consumer reception of our ready-to-eat meals, and we’re exceptionally bullish on our newest creation, Tuno,” Mr Hines said.

Loma Linda joins other brands launching fish-free seafood, such as Good Catch Foods‘ plant-based crab and Ocean Hugger Foods‘ vegan raw tuna.

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