Morrisons has launched vegan tuna, an alternative to a fish at high risk of over-fishing It’s made from soy protein and various other ingredients

Vegan fish may not yet have taken off as once haplessly prophesied, but its time will come. Morrisons’ new plant-based tuna could be the gentle appetiser the emerging industry needs. Providing it isn’t disgusting, of course.

The supermarket has claimed tuna is one of the UK’s most popular sandwich fillers. This is probably substantiated. There’s bound to be somebody eating one in your vicinity, if not you yourself, come lunch time.

Morrisons’ vegan tuna is the first of its kind in the UK. While 2019 has already brought us plant-based prawns and smoked salmon, canned fish has taken a little longer to emigrate from the US and Australia, where it is well established.

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Soy protein

The brand, Loma Linda TUNO, is made using soya protein and “natural flavourings”, and offers a supposedly “flaky texture, much like the real thing.”

Added to the soya protein (60 per cent), is spring water, vegan fish flavour (yeast, maltodextrin, flavourings – these are unspecified – thickener, sunflower oil, coconut oil), sea salt, seaweed powder, and potassium chloride.

Morrisons is introducing the new range this week, and it will be stocked in the tinned fish aisle. Clearly, this is a product aimed at vegans and flexitarians alike.

Robert Wilson, the company’s tuna buyer, said: “We have listened to so many customers who want an easy alternative to tuna, that’s high in protein and can be used in much the same way.

“TUNO provides a convincing alternative for sandwiches, pasta and salads.”

Morrisons said that thanks to TUNO’s high protein count and the fact it contains fewer than 100 calories per serving (two in a 142g tin), it “has already been a hit with heath conscious individuals in the States.”

It comes in various flavours and costs £1.30 per can, which is 20p cheaper than its classic, fish-based inspiration. Morrisons is also selling TUNO in ‘on the go’ pouches. i asked whether these are made from plastic.

Possible environmental concerns aside, when it comes to tinned tuna, a vegan alternative might prove welcome – not just to those hoping to eat a more plant-based diet, but also those concerned by the choppy industry. Tuna is one of the world’s most popular and valuable fish, which is why it is widely considered to suffer woefully from over-fishing.

Sustainability

Conservation groups such as Greenpeace and WWF are quick to highlight the fishing industry’s frailties when it comes to working conditions on boats in developing nations, and the sustainability – or, more often, lack of – of the fish they catch.

It is often a challenge for shoppers to know what they’re picking up. Traceability, despite the efforts of supermarkets such as Aldi, which launched its own “future fish” initiative”, is no quick, easy task.

For consumers who would rather stick to traditional protein sources, however, looking out for the Marine Stewardship Council label is best practice.

Erin Priddle, director of the organisation, said to i: “Consumers can look for the MSC’s blue fish ecolabel to know that their canned tuna is sustainable.

“Some 20.6 per cent of the world’s tuna catch is MSC certified. This means it has been rigorously assessed against the state of the stock, environmental impacts and the management of the fishery.

“Consumers can find the blue fish eco-label on Waitrose own-brand canned tuna and on some Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer own-brand lines. All of The Reel Fish Co tinned tuna and some John West and some Princes product lines have the blue fish ecolabel.”