NEW TECH FOODS

Italian food-tech KelpEat has introduced a new high-protein seaweed snack, made with Solar Foods’ microbial Solein protein.

The seaweed cracker products are crafted with EU-farmed dried kelp alongside the Solein protein, enabling a protein content of over 35% with a complete amino acid profile.

According to the two companies, the Solein and kelp naturally complement each other in terms of taste and nutition. The snack also contains vitamins B12 and B9, minerals and antioxidants, such as calcium and magnesium.

Solein is cultivated using air and electricity as its primary resources, through Finnish food-tech company Solar Foods’ proprietary fermentation process. The ingredient contains 75% protein content, dietary fibre, fats and minerals, and is also non-GMO, vegan and free from dairy, gluten and soya.

Seaweed specialist KelpEat presented the new product at the Pitti Taste food fair in Florence, Italy, from 8-10 February 2025. It now plans to introduce the product to consumers in the US market, a primary global market for high-protein products.

Luca Cerruti, CEO of KelpEat, said: “Using Solein enables us to create a truly disruptive innovation – one that delivers complete nutrition, environmental responsibility and a bold step towards food sovereignty”.

He added: “Combined with Solein, whose production is independent of land use, weather or climate conditions, the crackers represent a radical sustainability statement, ushering in a new era of climate-positive foods and setting a new benchmark for sustainable food solutions”.

Solein has received novel food approval in Singapore and self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in the US. The company expects to receive EU Novel Food approval in 2026.

Juan Manuel Benítez-García, chief commercial officer at Solar Foods, commented: “The product introduced by KelpEat is a perfect example of how Solein can perform exceptionally well in real-world applications in high-protein products and in the healthy snacking segment”.

“Solein fits seamlessly into existing consumer product categories, adding protein and other nutrients while minimising the environmental impact without losing the tastes people are accustomed to.”

He added that Solein “excels” in the health and performance segment, as well as nutrient-dense products specifically designed for consumers with dietary needs related to health issues like diabetes or weight management.