Tofurky and Triton Team Up to Develop Plant-Based Food Products Using Signature Algae

Iconic Plant-based Meat Manufacturer and Future Food Startup Collaborate on New Consumer Product Line

Hood River, Oregon (September 21, 2021) – Tofurky, the leading independent producer of plant-based meats in the U.S., and future food startup, Triton Algae Innovations today announced a partnership to bring new algae-based meat innovations to market. These products, specifics of which remain undisclosed, are targeted for retail store rollout in Q1 of 2022.

 

The partnership was birthed from the shared belief between both brands, that the key to irresistibly good, truly sustainable plant-based foods can be fostered by new kinds of protein like non-GMO microalgae. Triton’s “essential red” algae is rich in protein, along with Vitamin A and iron, and will be a key component in future new product formulas.

 

“We are very excited to partner with Triton and explore what can be made possible with algae” said Jaime Athos, president and CEO of Tofurky. “This is a unique and timely opportunity for us to combine our knowledge and understanding of the plant-based market with the nutrition and one-of-a-kind natural supply-chain technology created by Triton’s algae. While we can’t share what it is just yet, the result will entail products that resonate with our core audience, and also be attractive to the rapidly growing segment of new flexitarians increasingly drawn to plant-based foods.” 

 

Triton has developed a process that carefully selects and cultivates strains of non-GMO whole red algae, to grow varieties with just the right protein and Omega-3 amino acids for plant-based meats. The line delivers a lean, versatile protein-packed bite with a firm texture, and fresh flavor.

 

“Triton’s focus to date has been primarily on introducing brand new and better-for-you food ingredients to manufacturers,” said Xun Wang, CEO of Triton Algae Innovations. “This collaboration with Tofurky is an ideal platform for introducing these algae elements in a finished product directly to the consumer market. We’re honored to work with such a prestigious and well-known established player in the vegan food space. This is a win all around for both of our companies and particularly for the consumer.”

 

The new line will be jointly marketed under the Tofurky and Triton brands. For more information, on the companies, visit www.Tofurky.com or www.tritonai.com.

 

 

About Tofurky

Founded in 1980, Tofurky is the leading independent plant-based protein producer in the nation, making lip-smacking plant-based foods that are kind to people, animals and the environment. All Tofurky’s chef-crafted foods are made with the highest quality ingredients and are indulgent ways for everyone from vegans to flexitarians to enjoy their favorite comfort foods. All Tofurky products are 100 percent non-GMO, vegan and use local and organic ingredients whenever possible. As a Certified Benefit Corporation, Tofurky puts purpose before profits and reinvests in a wide variety of environmental initiatives, advocates for animal welfare and invests in its community. For more information, visit www.tofurky.com, ‘like’ us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

 

About Triton Algae Innovations

Based in San Diego, California, Triton’s vision is to unleash the potential of algae. The company is on a mission, determined to disrupt the unsustainable food ecosystem with solutions that provide better nutrition, better health, and better tasting food. For more information, visit www.tritonai.com, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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For more information about Tofurky:

Erin Ransom, SVP Strategic Growth

erin@tofurky.com I tofurky.com

 

For more information about Triton Algae Innovations:

David J. Schroeder, Director, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs

dave@tritonai.com I tritonai.com

 

GREEN QUEEN: Triton Algae To Launch Plant-Based Tuna & Algae-Based Alternative Protein Ingredients

Vegetable protein bowl with algae meat alternative, chickpeas, asparagus, broccoli, bell pepper, avocado, and alfalfa.

“Triton Algae Innovations, a startup leveraging freshwater algae species, is preparing to launch its plant-based algae ingredients and its first retail product – a tuna analogue – to show consumers the potential of the underwater crop in alternative proteins. The single-celled algae species that Triton uses, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii​, can express plant proteins, and the startup has managed to produce it in a scalable, cost-efficient heterotrophic process.

Triton, founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the UC San Diego, says it will soon be launching its algae B2B platform and will also launch a commercial product – plant-based tuna – to demonstrate the alternative protein possibilities of algae. Speaking to FoodNavigator, the startup revealed that the vegan tuna alternative will be trialed in retail channels, but “discussions are also underway over potential foodservice pathways…”

FOOD BUISNESS NEWS: Expanding the possibilities of plant-based product development

Vegan meal assortment featuring Triton algae meat in various contexts.

Vegan meal assortment featuring Triton algae meat in various contexts.

“Algae, almonds and sunflower seeds will all play an important role in the future of plant-based protein innovation. These and other novel ingredients were discussed during a series of panels on March 12 at the virtual Future Food-Tech summit.

Product developers are discovering new ways to process and combine plant materials to deliver better nutrition, functionality and taste. Califia Farms, a maker of plant-based dairy alternatives, blends multiple sources of plant protein in its products, said Suzanne Ginestro, chief marketing officer…”

GFI: Triton Algae Innovations: Ushering In The Algae-Based Alt-Protein Movement

Red algae, yellow algae, green algae, and white algae food products displayed in petri dishes.

“One company aiming to disrupt this burgeoning space is Triton Algae Innovations. Founded in 2013, Triton is a San Diego-based startup that uses precision fermentation to manufacture highly nutritious strains of algae. The startup’s secret sauce lies in a single-celled alga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, with green and red versions of the algae ready to be commercialized. In an interview with GFI APAC, Xun Wang, PhD, Triton’s President and CEO, shared that Triton has signed two deals – one in China with Touyun Tech and one with a US food company to conduct commercial scale production starting from 2021...”


Triton Algae Innovations Adds Staff as Company Scales Algae Ingredient Production

Company adds six new hires to assist with increased production capacity and growing commercial interest in food applications for its algae protein ingredient.

San Diego-based future food company Triton Algae Innovations is continuing to make strides in the alternative foods space. The company, which produces a highly nutritious and sustainable form of protein-rich algae via a proprietary fermentation process, has scaled up its hiring, adding six new team members in the last two months despite the economic and practical challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. Triton is focused on bringing to market an entirely new variety of healthy food products derived from its non-GM algae.

These hires come on the heels of an impressive run of scientific advances and regulatory milestones. In 2019 Triton Algae Innovations received a coveted “no questions” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that Triton’s algae ingredient Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for its intended uses in food. Subsequently, the top food regulatory entity in Singapore (the Singapore Food Agency, or SFA) issued a similar finding, which authorized the use of Triton’s highly nutritious, non-GMO dried algae ingredient in consumer food products in that country, extending Triton’s global market reach.

Given increasing market interest in its products, both as a source of alternative protein and as a key ingredient in meat analogues, Triton has also moved into a larger lab space, which will enable it to expand its own fermentation production capability to semi-commercial levels, and to grow its R&D and food science capabilities with these new hires.

“We are proud of what we’ve been able to achieve during these challenging times of navigating through a pandemic,” said Miller Tran, Triton’s VP of R&D. “Being able to keep all our employees on payroll, while actually growing our team is a testament to the strategic pathway we laid out pre-COVID, and we feel fortunate to have been able to execute through all this uncertainty while adding top-talent and keeping our eyes on the long game.”

SUSIE KAHN, FOOD SCIENTIST “Being a food scientist at Triton means believing in a future where the food supply is delicious, wholesome and sustainable. Algae holds exceptional potential for the rapid development of unique and useful new food materials. Through advances in algae technology, Triton can help to reinvent our global food systems to make them more efficient, ethical, and accessible to everyone.”

TRAVIS MUFF, SENIOR SCIENTIST “Triton gives me the opportunity to apply my knowledge and experience to a rapidly developing and expanding industry.”

DEBORAH MUN, ASSOCIATE FERMENTATION SCIENTIST “I am thankful to be working with a team of innovative and inspired individuals working towards creating new plant-based food products. Triton offers me the opportunity to use my process development skills to contribute to environmental sustainability.”

MIA WOLGAST, FOOD SCIENCE ASSOCIATE “Doing good and sending positive energy into the world is what gets me out of bed and motivated each morning. Lucky for me, Triton gives me the opportunity to do just that by contributing to more sustainable practices, healthier eating, and further innovation in the future food space. Knowing that we’re doing positive things for the world gives me a sense of pride and fulfillment at the end of each day.”

KIMBERLY CHEN, ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST “Eating plant-based diet is one effective way we can contribute to environmental sustainability. I am excited about the opportunity Triton offers me to contribute my academic skills and experience in the plant-based food industry. With passionate, hard-working individuals at Triton, I feel motivated going to work everyday to help develop a nutritious, sustainable food system.”

KANAS HUYNH, RESEARCH INTERN “I see being part of the Triton Algae team as a place where I can grow as not only a scientist but as a person. I am grateful and excited every time I come to work because I get to see and learn new things about the rapid development of food sustainability, while simultaneously gaining the worthwhile experiences in a laboratory.”

San Diego Future Foods Company Rolls Out Expanded Science Advisory Board

Expanded Scientific Advisory Board Boasts Robust Academic and Industry Experience

Triton Algae Innovations, a San Diego-based company that is bringing to market an entirely new series of healthy food products derived from a highly nutritious form of natural algae, has announced a expanded science advisory board (SAB) comprised of prominent figures in the academic and industry communities.

“The idea was to assemble a small group of elite thinkers grounded in both cutting-edge R&D, as well as relevant industry background, and we’ve certainly achieved that,” said Xun Wang, the president and CEO of Triton. “We feel very fortunate to have this degree of intellectual firepower available to us, to serve as a sounding board for ideas, and also to provide the constructive criticism that is absolutely necessary to help keep a growing company on track and focused.”

The SAB is chaired by Dr. Stephen Briggs, a professor of biology and chemistry at UC San Diego, and a pioneer in the field of genome biology and crop sequencing; other members are:

  • Dr. Joanne Chory, professor and head of the Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI) at the world-renowned Salk Institute;

  • Dr. Jeff Lievense, a recognized leader in industrial fermentation process and member of the National Academy of Engineering;

  • Dr. Karsten Zengler, professor of systems biology at UC San Diego focused on unraveling the role of the human microbiome in health and disease;

  • Dr. Neal Deveraj, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC San Diego, and an expert in synthetic biology

“Their input goes beyond only scientific or technical feedback, which of course is a core need; they are also able to provide practical guidance from a business perspective, in terms of crafting strategic direction with regard to, say, an ingredient application or perhaps even a potential finished consumer product,” said Dr. Miller Tran, VP of Research & Development. “Across the board, this kind of critical input is the sort of asset that provides us with a real competitive advantage."

Triton Algae Innovations Announces Regulatory Greenlight in Key Asian Market

Singapore has “no objections” to the use of Triton’s non-GMO algae as a food ingredient.

November 6, 2019 – San Diego-based Triton Algae Innovations has revealed that following a rigorous internal review, the top food regulatory entity in Singapore (the Singapore Food Agency, or SFA) has issued a coveted “no objections” letter, which authorizes the use of Triton’s highly nutritious, non-GMO dried algae ingredient in consumer food products.   Triton had been in discussions with SFA staff for almost a year, after an initial meeting at a conference in Singapore in November 2018. 

“Triton is very excited and honored by this designation,” said Xun Wang, president and CEO of Triton.  “Singapore is an economic and technology leader not just in Asia but world-wide, particularly in the future food and agriculture space, and so to receive the necessary approvals to be able to sell into this market is a considerable achievement.  We are grateful both to have achieved this status, and also to now have the opportunity to make our healthy ingredient available to Singaporean consumers, for whom good nutrition is a high priority.”

THE GUARDIAN: YES, ALGAE IS GREEN AND SLIMY- BUT IT COULD ALSO BE THE FUTURE OF FOOD

Triton Algae meat alternative burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a sesame bun.

Triton Algae meat alternative burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a sesame bun.

“The next time someone asks where you get your protein, the answer could be the green stuff.

While vegans and vegetarians steer clear of fish and shellfish, there’s another kind of seafood we need to talk about – and it could be the solution to a lot of problems.

Algae, that green, slimy stuff you probably cringe at when you see it in a body of water, is being looked at by nutritionists and entrepreneurs in the food space as a potential godsend that’s been more or less untapped until lately.”

 

NBC SD: TRITON AIMS FOR A HOT COMMODITY WITH ITS 'COOL' FOOD

Algae dinner roll platter featuring Triton protein alternatives.

Algae dinner roll platter featuring Triton protein alternatives.

By Elise Reuter Apr 17, 2019

“With the rise of the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat tacos, and other plant-based products, one San Diego startup is looking to take a bite of a growing market.

Triton Algae Innovations, a spinout from UC San Diego research, recently secured approval to begin selling its algae-based protein product. An independent source designated its product as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), enough proof for Triton to begin selling, but in March, the company also secured a letter that the FDA had “no questions” about its GRAS designation, an important stamp of approval as it seeks partners for its algae-based protein…”

 

LIVEKINDLY: YOUR MEAT WILL SOON COME FROM ALGAE (AND IT WILL BE DELICIOUS)

Triton Algae vegan burger displayed alongside green algae powder, red algae powder, and yellow algae powder.

Triton Algae vegan burger displayed alongside green algae powder, red algae powder, and yellow algae powder.

Amy Percival March 25, 2019

“…Currently, most innovation focuses on algae as an ingredient in other products, however, there are developments in creating algae-based molecules that behave and taste comparable to meat.

San Diego-based company Triton Algae Innovations is one company making such developments, although they aren’t aiming to make algae steaks just yet. Co-founder and scientist Miller Tran told Forbes “our angle is that we want to be an ingredient provider.”

He elaborated that their aim is to “boost existing foods with proteins and nutrients that might not be available or as abundant in other sources.”

SDUT: WOULD YOU EAT ALGAE PASTA?

Dungeness Crab Emerald Pasta with a green algae sauce.

Dungeness Crab Emerald Pasta with a green algae sauce.

By BRADLEY J. FIKES MARCH 12, 2019

"San Diego’s Triton Algae Innovations says the Food and Drug Administration has accepted its edible algae as safe to eat. The FDA’s designation clears the way for the startup to sell its algae as a food ingredient.

The FDA says it has “no questions” that Triton’s algae falls under Generally Recognized As Safe, or GRAS status, the company said last week…”

AIM: TRITON INGREDIENT GETS FDA "NO QUESTIONS" LETTER

Green Algae powder from Triton Algae displayed in a white bowl.

Green Algae powder from Triton Algae displayed in a white bowl.

March 11, 2019

“Triton Algae Innovations, a San Diego-based startup company focused on new food and nutritional products derived from a highly nutritious algae, has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “has no questions” that Triton’s algae ingredient Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for its intended uses in food. FDA reached this finding following a lengthy and rigorous evaluation of toxicological safety studies and characterization data.

“Our focus remains on bringing safe and healthy new products to consumers who are increasingly interested in the nutritional content and sustainability of the foods they eat,” said Xun Wang, President and CEO of Triton. “We are excited to have this acknowledgement from the FDA regarding the GRAS status of our algae as a food ingredient, and about the multiple potential commercial pathways for it as a source of healthy plant-based protein in foods….”

FORBES: ALGAE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DISRUPT THE PLANT BASED FOOD MARKET

Triton algae meat vegan burger patties.

Triton algae meat vegan burger patties.

Nov 30, 2018

“Triton is a company poised for disruption. The San Diego-based start-up, Triton Algae Innovations, is hitting all the right notes—plant-based, sustainable, synthetic biology—serving up what co-founder and scientist Miller Tran calls an “untapped well of proteins” that offers more than what’s currently available on the plant-based market.

Even though algae has long been proposed for things like palm oil replacements and biofuel, there are numerous strains of the green stuff that haven’t really been explored for their potential as food proteins…”

AIM: TRITON ALGAE INNOVATIONS HONORED WITH 2018 SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

(13-Nov-2018 San Diego, CA) – Triton Algae Innovations, a San Diego-based startup company which is introducing a healthy, nutritious green algae into the food market, was recently honored with the 2018 Sustainable Seafood award, as part of the 10th annual BlueTech summit conference hosted by The Maritime Alliance (TMA). The TMA award was presented jointly to Triton and the InterContinental Hotel, to honor their collaborative efforts to promote sustainable algae for food. InterContinental executive chef Paul McCabe worked with Triton to create a full algae-based lunch menu for conference attendees.