In its recommendations, the USDA Panel overseeing organic certification standards stated that fishmeal and fish oil produced from wild fish and other wild aquatic animals, or any portion of the wild fish that do not qualify as provided in this section, cannot be used in organic production of aquatic animals, or certified or labeled as organic.
This decision is significant for Neptune in its efforts to obtain an "organic" label for it insect derived protein Ento-Protein™.
Strong Support
According to company CEO Ernest Papadoyianis, these recommendations strongly support the need for sustainable protein alternatives for fish and shrimp diets. He recently addressed the Organic Standards panel in Washington DC and believes its recommendations will increase the probability that a true organic standard will be set by the USDA."Neptune is developing such an alternative, which it calls Ento-Protein™ and which we believe currently enjoys first-mover status in this emerging marketplace," he added.
"The prices for organic-labeled food tend to carry a substantial premium to non-organic food, and we would expect that such a premium would also apply in the organic feed marketplace."
Ento-Protein™ is a high protein fishmeal replacement derived from the controlled, mass production of select insect species, for use in fish and livestock diets. The product is undergoing final examination at Mississippi State University before being released to the market later this year.
Further Reading
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