8 Ways in Which Fish Additives Add Value to the Food Industry
Often when people hear the word “additives” they think of processed and unhealthy food. However, for the fishing industry and the modern society as a whole, fish additives are an exceptionally important and positive range of products that actually ensures the accessibility of healthy and nourishing food globally.
Fish additives, in this context, refers to the substances used to ensure the preservation of seafood and other fishing produce. Here are eight ways in which fish additives have, and continue to, impact society and our diets on a daily basis:
- It ensures that produce from the fishing industry is safe for consumption
Fish and other food from the sea are covered in superficial pathogenic microorganisms, like bacteria, from their natural environment. It can also be exposed to additional microorganisms during handling. Certain additives are aimed at controlling or removing these to make it safe to eat.
- It keeps fish and seafood edible, usable and palatable
Organic material is not only at risk of spoiling due to bacteria. Flesh can become rancid, bruised, lose its flavour, colour, and texture due to handling, oxidation, and decay. Different additives exist to counter all of these factors to preserve edibility and appeal.
- It makes it possible to store perishable produce
The fact that seafood can be preserved and kept palatable means that it can be stored – something that would be impossible without the assistance of preservation technology.
- All types of seafood can now be available all year round
The ability to store seafood helps us to avoid post-harvest losses caused by an oversupply within a season and enables us to keep the excess to ensure supply during the off-season.
- It makes it possible to transport delicate and perishable fishing products across long distances
Without the help of fish additives, only coastal areas where the food is harvested would have access to it. Preservation allows us to store and transport the food inland, or to areas where this particular type of seafood is not available.
- It adds to the economy by enabling potential export
The ability to transport fish and other seafood to destinations far removed from the sources makes it possible for countries rich in resources to earn foreign exchange through exports.
- It helps in the fight to ensure food security
The combination of the capability to facilitate food storage and to distribute the food over long distances helps us to mitigate the risk posed by a lack of food security.
- It creates employment
Fish additives make a whole range of processes possible along the food distribution chain – from increased fishing potential to storage, distribution, logistics, processing, retail, and hospitality – thereby facilitating the creation of job opportunities in each of these related industries.
Established in Spain in 1983, and present in South Africa since 1995, Tequisa is a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and supply of fish additives to the fishing industry. Contact us to find out more about our range of innovative products and how it can benefit your business.
