US-based lab-grown seafood innovator BlueNalu has expanded its strategic partnership with Nomad Foods to launch its products in the UK and Europe.
The collaboration, which began in 2021, aims to explore opportunities for cell-cultivated seafood in these selected markets .
According to Lou Cooperhouse, founder, president, and CEO of BlueNalu, “What began as a strategic exploration into the future of cell-cultivated seafood in Europe has now grown into a deeper partnership aimed at commercializing these products.”
He further commented, “The expanded agreement reflects the strong alignment between our companies and builds on the success of our early joint efforts in market research, regulatory strategy, and consumer insights.”
Currently, BlueNalu and Nomad Foods are focusing on market-entry strategies in the UK, particularly within premium foodservice and limited-time offerings that cater to consumer demand for high-quality seafood options.
Notably, BlueNalu was one of eight companies admitted to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) regulatory ‘sandbox’ program, a pioneering initiative aimed at securing new regulatory permissions in the cultivated meat sector.
This program fosters collaboration with the FSA, allowing businesses to navigate the regulatory landscape for novel foods while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and transparency. BlueNalu stands out as the only US-based company currently part of this program, focusing primarily on cell-cultivated seafood.
Cooperhouse noted, “As part of this next phase, we’re working together to develop a go-to-market roadmap in the UK and broader European region – focusing on key areas such as product development, regulatory advancement, and strategic market entry.”
He added, “Nomad Foods brings unparalleled regional expertise and market reach, and we’re proud to continue this partnership as we advance toward bringing healthy, responsibly produced seafood to consumers across Europe.”
The recent partnership announcement coincides with new research sponsored by BlueNalu, which identifies a “health-driven demand for cell-cultivated seafood.”
The study indicated significant enthusiasm among UK sushi consumers for cell-cultivated bluefin tuna toro. In a survey of 2,000 regular sushi consumers conducted in 2024, 92% expressed interest in trying this product. The “top perceived benefits” included the potential absence of parasites, pesticides, microplastics, mercury, and antibiotics, alongside high omega-3 content.
Additionally, BlueNalu supported a recent independent academic study that affirmed “cell-cultivated” and “cell-cultured” as accepted labeling terms, meeting essential regulatory and consumer acceptance criteria.
Founded in 2018 in San Diego, California, BlueNalu specializes in developing cell-based seafood products directly from fish cells.
