Friends & Family Pet Food (FnF), headquartered in San Francisco, California, has joined forces with UMAMI Bioworks, a cultivated seafood company based in Singapore, to introduce what they claim to be the world’s inaugural cat treats made from cultivated fish.
The collaboration between FnF and UMAMI Bioworks has resulted in a new product line of cat treats enriched with high-value microalgae, a blend of premium cultured proteins, and essential nutrients. Leveraging UMAMI Bioworks’ advanced cultivated technology and processes, FnF aims to pioneer a series of pet food offerings that merge nutrition with sustainability.
“We are thrilled to partner with UMAMI Bioworks, a company dedicated to advancing cultivated technology,” stated Joshua Errett, CEO and founder of Friends & Family. “Together, we’ve developed a groundbreaking product that prioritizes pet health and sustainability. These cultivated fish treats exemplify how science and technology can drive positive change within the pet food industry.”
The new cat treats from Friends & Family are touted to deliver significant environmental advantages by reducing reliance on traditional fishing methods, which often contribute to overfishing and ocean depletion. Cultivated fish production is designed to be more resource-efficient, requiring less land, water, and feed compared to conventional aquaculture. According to FnF, these treats and future products will provide cats with high-protein, high-fiber nutrition, promoting immunity, digestion, and overall health.
“This marks a critical step towards a sustainable food future,” remarked Rohan Thakur, Partner at Pure Ventures, an advisor to Friends & Family and UMAMI Bioworks. “To make a positive climate impact, innovative products that excel on shelves and scalable business models are essential. Josh’s expertise in pet food and UMAMI’s technology lay the groundwork for the next generation of pet food products. We’re proud to collaborate with these teams of high integrity.”
The cultivated fish cat treats are scheduled to debut in early 2025, initially targeting markets in Singapore and San Francisco.
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