Bettafish is one of the world’s most natural and innovative fish alternative brands, from Germany (Berlin is the world’s most vegan-friendly city). These items are based on seaweed
Avoid seaweed for thyroid or iodine disorders. Read more on food safety for people and pets.
Don’t harvest seaweed yourself, as it has to be done sustainably by experts who ‘just give seaweed a haircut’ to avoid disturbing the roots. Don’t let dogs eat seaweed, as the fronds can expand as they dry in the stomach.
You can recycle any soft plastic packaging at supermarket bag bins, if your council does not recycle.
Why Seaweed Instead of Fish?
Seaweed when harvested sustainably, is a zero waste crop. It grows fast and only needs seawater and sunshine to grow organically, and seaweeds sequester carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is good for fish and marine creatures. And of course there’s no by-catch of innocent creatures like sea turtles, dolphins, whales or sharks in nets.
Bettafish makes products from seaweed that grows in crystal-clear waters off the Irish and Norwegian coasts. The company is providing an alternative income for people in Norway who used to catch fish for a living. Now instead, they put more seaweed in, and leave the fish alone!
This unique European brown seaweed tastes the same as ‘seafood’ and have such good umami, they need less salt, and also give valuable fibre and minerals.
The company works with the foodservice industry. And to make vegans a little bit annoyed, in Germany their products are sold widely in budget supermarkets like Aldi (even in ready-made sandwiches) but not so here in England. Why not?
The range includes:
Sal-NOM is made from fava beans and peas, and sold as a plant-based alternative to canned salmon, rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Also in a glass jar, perfect in a bagel or with tagliatelle.
TU-NAH is their plant-based tuna alternative, also in cans or jars, and great for vegan sushi. This base product is included in their ready-made tun-ah sandwiches (plain, sweetcorn or chilli), plus there’s also a spread for crackers.
