Bettaf!sh Launches Vegan Tuna With Continente Food Lab in Portugal

From vegconomist.com

Berlin-based food start-up BettaF!sh has introduced a new plant-based canned tuna alternative, TU-NAH, to Portugal’s seafood market. The product, made from European seaweed, fava beans, and peas, will be available at 12 high-traffic Continente stores across the country.

                                                                                                        ©BettaF!sh

Portugal’s love for seafood

Portugal, known for its high seafood consumption—averaging more than 10 kg per person annually—presents a significant market for alternatives to traditional fish products. The country generates over €1.2 billion in seafood revenue each year (Statista, 2025), underscoring both its strong culinary tradition and the demand for more sustainable options.

Deniz Ficicioglu, CEO and Founder of BettaF!sh, noted, “Portugal’s deep love for seafood inspired us to introduce BettaF!sh TU-NAH here – as a celebration of ocean flavour, not ocean depletion.” The product is designed to replicate the taste and texture of traditional tuna while offering a sustainable alternative. TU-NAH is free from soy and wheat, and contains no methylcellulose, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.

TU-NAH’s composition includes seaweed, fava beans, and pea protein, providing a high-fibre and protein-rich option. The product is marketed as ready to eat straight from the can, ideal for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or traditional Portuguese dishes like Salada de Atum.

The product will be available at Continente locations in cities such as Matosinhos, Amadora, and Lisbon’s Vasco da Gama and Colombo shopping centres. Continente, Portugal’s largest retailer with a history spanning 40 years, has been actively expanding its food offerings to include more sustainable products.

Seaweed-based approach

                          ©BettaF!sh

                                    

BettaF!sh, which is also involved in developing seaweed-based ingredients for the wider food industry, is supported by investors focused on climate and sustainable food initiatives, including Pale Blue Dot, Astanor, and Mudcake, among others. The company is also involved in the EU-funded FunSea project, which aims to further advance research into plant-based seafood products.

Marlos Silva, R&D and Innovation Director at MC Sonae, which oversees Continente, explained, “The numbers reflect both a rich culinary tradition and the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. That’s where BettaF!sh steps in. We especially appreciate their innovative seaweed-based approach to rethinking seafood from the ground up.”

https://vegconomist.com/products-launches/bettafsh-launches-vegan-tuna-continente-food-lab-portugal/