EN FR

Advancing the fortification and commercialization of plant-based sushi products

Technology
Technology Leadership Priority

Products

PROJECT TIMELINE
December 2023 to March 2025
PROJECT STATUS
Fund II: Complete
TOTAL INVESTMENT
$2,191,737

Consortia Contribution
$1,224,639

Cluster Contribution
$967,098

Partners

Konscious Foods

Avena Foods Limited

Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds

Goal

To bring new and improved plant-based products to the marketplace.

Building off the success of Konscious Foods’ revolutionary frozen plant-based sushi, this project will amplify the nutritional content of its existing plant-based seafood products while helping bring new innovative products to market.

Project Summary

Konscious Foods will advance the fortification and commercialization of its existing products, as well as develop an extended range of new offerings out of its state-of-the-art 34,000-square-foot facility in Richmond, B.C.

Using pulse ingredients sourced from Avena in the Prairies, as well as CPS’ locally and sustainably sourced seaweed, this project brings together Canadian-leading ingredient providers to develop superior products. Konscious Foods will also evaluate pulses and grains from other Canadian suppliers and work with multiple universities to enhance the nutritional profile of ingredients and products.

This project will launch new products that offer consumers unique and exciting options, including nori and tamagoyaki plant-based egg products. Konscious Food’s will also improve the nutritional content of its existing seafood-alternative products, including increased protein and vitamin integration of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Results and Impact

  • Konscious launched their plant-based smoked salm’n in Q1 ’25, featuring the use of plant-based protein to deliver an innovative offering with enhanced nutrition.
  • In collaboration with Avena Foods, Konscious developed a batter utilizing Canadian pulse ingredients featured in the plant-based Crispy Shr’mp, released in Q2’25 across Canada and the U.S. markets.
  • Testing and development of a local nori created by Konscious Foods and Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds was initiated.
  • Assuming the average Atlantic salmon weight of 4.5kg with 70 per cent edible meat yield, Konscious Foods saved nearly 700 salmon and countless by-catch marine lives in the early stages of their plant-based smoked salmon launch.

Related reading