Thai Union Group brand OMG Meat recently launched a new line of dumplings made with a plant-based shrimp analog in markets across Thailand to match the increased consumer demand for sustainable and healthy products.
The dumplings are part of the Thai Union Group PCL's response to consumers eating a combination of plant-based foods, and meat in flexitarian eating, the company said in a press release.
“We’re excited to be launching Plant-Based Shrimp Dumplings, which is the latest in a growing product line from OMG Meat,” Thai Union Managing Director of Alternative Proteins Marteen Geraets said. “Younger consumers today are looking for food that is healthy not just for themselves but also for the planet, and OMG Meat’s products offer exactly that, with environmentally friendly sourcing and processing of ingredients that deliver products that have zero cholesterol, are low in calories and high in fiber, protein and calcium.”
The product was created by the Thai Union Global Innovation Center, which the company expanded in 2016 to ensure it smells and tastes like actual meat.
According to Thai Union Innovation Director Tunyawat Kasemsuwan, the product was developed based on direct consumer demand.
“We have had consumers come to us and say, ‘I know you are an expert in seafood and shrimp – I would like to have a shrimp tempura, but not containing shrimp," Kasemsuwan said.
OMG Meat sells the plant-based analog shrimp dumplings in a 5-piece, 25-gram pack available for retail across supermarkets in Thailand or online.
Thai Union said earlier this year it aims to become a "strong player" in the plant-based seafood analog sector, and to that end the company has invested both in its innovation center and in inking deals with other producers.
Photo courtesy of OMG Meat
