TUNO sandwich
TUNO is trying to disrupt the $120 billion seafood industry with a plant-based alternative. TUNO’s founder Doug Hines, who was a former seafood industry executive and COO at Bumble Bee, shared more in a recent interview.
Plant-Based Tuna Alternative
Hines is the chairman and principal owner of Atlantic Natural Foods, a shelf-stable manufacturer, which owns TUNO. “Loma Linda, the flagship brand in our plant-based portfolio at Atlantic Natural Foods, was created over 100 years ago to provide vegetarian foods to the Adventist community by John Kellogg. Since we acquired the company in 2014, we have expanded the product line to include plant-based products,” Hines said.
TUNO is Loma Linda’s latest offering. It is an ocean-safe, mercury-free alternative to real tuna made with non-GMO, plant-based protein ingredients and omega-3s. The fishless TUNO is shelf-stable and made with a soy, yeast and sunflower extract blend.
“TUNO is a protein-rich, gluten-free food featuring the light, flaky texture of seafood. We are creating new flavor profiles and building a foodservice product, which will be available in 2020. Loma Linda foods are available in over 17,000 stores nationwide, including Walmart, Costco and Sprouts, as well as in Australia, and the U.K. By early 2020, France and Scandinavia will join the list,” Hines said.
TUNO
Inspiration for TUNO’s Creation
As a former seafood executive, Hines studied statistics about sustainability and the world’s rapidly growing population. He felt that there was a need to create more sustainable protein sources.
“Overfishing is a global problem that is getting worse by the day. The number of illegal vessels and underreporting is rampant on the high seas, and governments tend to turn the other way. Not only is seafood not sustainable at the rate we are going, oceanic pollutants like microplastics are also a real concern. We will not be able to feed the world if we do not take creative steps now to address them,” Hines said.
Hines saw a gap in the plant-based seafood market for shelf-stable and earth-conscious alternatives to traditional tuna, as well as affordable solutions. Most plant-based solutions are expensive, but TUNO is not.
Vegan Tuna Without the Fishy Smell
Hines explained that many people try TUNO expecting it to taste like real chunk light, canned tuna. However, TUNO is not trying to be tuna. It is a fish-free alternative that can be enjoyed in the same way people have grown accustomed to using tuna, such as adding it to sandwiches, salads or casseroles.
“The taste is unique, but it does not have the overt tuna taste many are familiar with or the smell. Consumers who are trying to introduce more plant-based protein options into their diets find that they can easily incorporate TUNO into sandwiches or salads. We offer a plain version (Spring Water), as well as Sriracha and Lemon Pepper varieties,” Hines added.
Although there are many healthy options around the perimeter of a grocery store, like fresh fruits and proteins, Hines saw a need in the center aisles for more nutritious, shelf-stable options. After all, many parts of the world do not have refrigeration. Hines wants to make products that most shoppers can afford to help feed the world.
“We are not trying to convince anyone, but people are desperately looking for fish alternatives right now, whether for health or sustainability reasons. With TUNO, we are simply giving people another option that is affordable. We are not trying to change the world by taking away seafood. We are offering an alternative to a global food commodity, which will be required in the future,” Hines said.