Odontella: marine food innovation at the service of the planet Odontella, a startup set up in 2016, aims to offer “seafood alternatives” out of its love for the environment. Odontella is the first marine microalgae authorized for human consumption, Solmon® was born out of the desire to innovate. Overview of their adventure and future prospects n 1 July 2021, nearby Bordeaux, flexitarianism. Thus, Solmon® was initially distri- Odontella inaugurated its pilot unit buted via Odontella’s partners, who were precisely that produces thousands of packaged based in Germany and the United Kingdom, but products marketed per day. The com- also had a distribution network across Europe and pany is permeated with a green label vision. No the U.S. Solmon® is currently available in France in question of chemical additions here, only biotech- specialized stores and in a selection of super- and nology and gastronomy find their place. Its CEO, hypermarkets. Abroad, under the Odontella brand Patrick de Bossoreille, says: “marine microlagae have been providing their benefits to the whole food chain for billions ofyears”. Not surprisingly, «The formulations aim to be as natural and marine an ocean-protection logo is on the packaging of all as possible, as the pursued objective is to develop their products. The entire packaging is clean label, sure and safe dietary alternatives» based on eco-friendly ink, up to plastics, which are subjected to stability tests so as to select the most sustainable ones. As for the content, the formula- tions aim to be as natural and marine as possible, or under private labels, several chain stores, in- as the pursued objective is to develop sure and safe cluding Lidl, are selling their products. Odontella dietary alternatives. Following the same vein, their has also won over “food service” players, such as sourcing aims to limit the carbon footprint by fa- Sushi Shop. “Th e demand for pizzas, wraps etc. is vouring French or European suppliers. Solmon®, a increasingly higher”, says Patrick de Bossoreille. In marine vegetable product presented in slices, an this case, the R&D will rather focus on finished pro- alternative to Odontella’s smoked salmon, is a ma- ducts: density and more texture for sushi, more or cerate of marine algae and microalgae with high less pinkish colour etc. As for nutraceuticals, be- levels of omega-3 (linseed oil) that contains vege- verages with high DHA levels are currently being table protein, carotenoids and marine trace ele- considered for children, the elderly and sports ments. The product is therefore compatible with peope. rms vegan diets, gluten-free, soy-free, and suitable for of gastronomy: she is surrounded since the begin- pregnant women and people with fish allergies. ning by passionate chefs (shareholders of the com- The R&D team is working on a recipe that will have pany) and recognized culinary critics (Sébastien higher levels of protein (from 2.7 to 6.8 g/100 g) Kardinal). With a dozen of employees and several and limited salt content (from 1.8 g to 1.23 g/ 100 consultants, Odontella hopes they will significant- g). It is precisely the salt content that explains the ly expand their production equipment within three current Yuka score of only 60%. The new recipe is to five years so as to ultimately reach a number of expected for September. At its heart, no less than over 100 employees. Government subsidies and seven families of patents related to nutrition and new fundraising campaigns are envisaged. Two beverages based on marine algae and microalage. new project proposals (alternatives to scallops and With a coverage area that goes beyond our borders, shrimp tails), expansion plans targeting the United because of a market that was still immature a few States and Asia (with an alternative to tuna in mind), years ago. For instance, the German and English a stronger commitment to sustainability via the (re) consumers turned more quickly to alternative food use of by-products in foodstuffs... future is definitely products driven by the rise of vegetarianism and part of Ondontella’s reality. • #76 - 74 -GAM s’fitcA