On the afternoon of August 24th, the Japanese government unilaterally and forcefully initiated the “Fukushima Nuclear Sewage Discharge into the Sea” project. According to reports from Japan’s TEPCO, the amount of nuclear-contaminated water discharged on that day was between 200 and 210 tons.
In response, the General Administration of Customs of China promptly issued a statement, declaring a comprehensive suspension of the import of aquatic products (including those using aquatic animals) originating from Japan, starting from August 24, 2023.
The implications of this incident are undoubtedly significant, posing a major threat to neighboring countries and even the global marine environment.
Many components and raw materials derived from the ocean are closely tied to human health, and the health industry stands as one of Japan’s most critical pillar industries. According to industry estimates in Japan, the market size of the health industry is expected to reach 33.1 trillion yen by 2025, equivalent to nearly two trillion yuan.
In this context, matters concerning the import of food and food raw materials from Japan warrant reexamination, especially the pressing question of “Can we still consume seafood?” This query, now in the spotlight, may provide an opportunity for the alternative protein market to experience rapid development.
Noteworthy Marine-Derived Components
Constrained by its land area and geographical location, Japan heavily relies on food imports. However, being a maritime nation with a penchant for raw seafood consumption and advanced processing technology, Japan’s marine-derived ingredients have enjoyed global popularity.
Kombu
Kombu, a perennial large brown algae, offers edible parts like leaves from Laminariaceae and Pterospermaceae families.
Rich in polysaccharides, proteins, and cellulose, with polysaccharides categorized into sodium alginate, fucoidan, and fucoidan.
Kombu also contains iodine, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B, and its powdered form serves as a “salt substitute” to enhance flavor.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin (ASX) is a ketone-containing carotenoid known for its potent antioxidant properties.
Widely present in salmon, crab, and algae, astaxanthin has gained increasing recognition among consumers globally due to in-depth research in recent years. It finds extensive applications in enhancing immune function, delaying aging, promoting brain and emotional health, protecting eyes, maintaining bone and joint health, and oral beauty.
In the Japanese market, astaxanthin is predominantly used in eye and skincare products. “Snowson Natural Astaxanthin Soft Capsules” not only contain 16mg/capsule of astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis but also include 20mg/capsule of sodium hyaluronate and 30mg/capsule of sea buckthorn oil to enhance skincare effects.
Oyster Complex Peptide
Oysters (Ostreidae) are collectively referred to as mollusks belonging to the order Pterioida and the family Ostreidae. Commonly known as oysters or mussels, they are a widely distributed group globally, inhabiting tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas.
Oysters contain proteins, arginine, zinc, lead, and other components in their bodies. Consuming oysters can lead to the synthesis of glutathione in the human body, enhancing immune function and nourishing the skin. The lead component can also inhibit cell aging and promote metabolism.
In Japan, oyster complex peptides and oyster extracts are often added to products aimed at addressing male fatigue, improving sperm quality, and addressing related concerns.
Chitin, Chitosan
Chitin, also known as chitosan, is a polysaccharide substance extracted from the shells of marine crustaceans. Chitosan is a deacetylated derivative of chitin, and the two have similar chemical structures. They find widespread applications in various fields, including industrial fabric production, cosmetics and beauty products, medical supplies, and health supplements.
Chitin has the ability to adsorb fats from food, reducing the likelihood of lipid substances entering the liver. Additionally, it can accelerate the body’s detoxification process. In the field of health supplements, it is commonly used in products related to weight loss and weight management.
Trehalose:
Trehalose, also known as leaky sugar or mushroom sugar, is widely distributed in bacteria, yeast, fungi, shrimp, algae, as well as some insects, invertebrates, and plants. It is a typical stress metabolite and has a promoting effect on the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria in the human intestinal tract.
Trehalose has a sweetness approximately 45% that of sucrose (table sugar). It can form a protective membrane on the cell surface in environments with high temperatures, extreme cold, high osmotic pressure, and dehydration. Due to these properties, it is extensively used in the production of baked goods, candies, and frozen foods. It is recommended as a substitute for 20-30% of sugar in these applications.
Fish Oil:
Fish oil is a type of oil extracted from fatty fish and is rich in various n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is one of the most well-known functional ingredients among consumers.
Notable deep-sea fishing grounds for fish oil extraction include the Peru fishing grounds, Newfoundland fishing grounds in Canada, Hokkaido fishing grounds in Japan, and the Arctic Ocean and North Sea fishing grounds. Among these, the Hokkaido fishing grounds in Japan are located at the convergence of warm and cold currents, leading to nutrient-rich seawater that provides fish with natural nutrients. However, the sales volume is not as high as that of the Peru and Canada fishing grounds.
Cod Peptide:
Fish oil is a type of oil extracted from fatty fish and is rich in various n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is one of the most well-known functional ingredients among consumers.
Notable deep-sea fishing grounds for fish oil extraction include the Peru fishing grounds, Newfoundland fishing grounds in Canada, Hokkaido fishing grounds in Japan, and the Arctic Ocean and North Sea fishing grounds. Among these, the Hokkaido fishing grounds in Japan are located at the convergence of warm and cold currents, leading to nutrient-rich seawater that provides fish with natural nutrients. However, the sales volume is not as high as that of the Peru and Canada fishing grounds.
Seafood Unappetizing, Good News for Alternative Proteins?
In the statement issued by China’s General Administration of Customs, products from ten Japanese prefectures, including Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama, are affected. However, the consequences of this waste discharge extend beyond Japan’s waters. Experts predict that nuclear pollutants will reach Chinese waters 240 days later, and this discharge plan spans 30 years.
From a human survival perspective, Earth’s marine ecology is delicately balanced. The United Nations urges global attention to the oceans, vital for human survival. Following the Japanese nuclear wastewater discharge incident, finding alternative solutions to marine products is becoming a shared global research goal.
The synthetic protein industry emerges as the most promising trillion-dollar market. Over the past five years, it has garnered significant attention from the scientific community, investors, and consumers.
In 2020, global consumption of alternative proteins reached 13 million tons. Predictions suggest that by 2035, alternative proteins will match traditional animal proteins in taste, texture, and price. Approximately 11% of globally consumed meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products will be derived from alternative proteins.
Several countries have already outlined national strategies for the development of the alternative protein industry
- In December 2020, Singapore approved the world’s first cell-cultured meat and set developing alternative proteins as a goal for 2030.
- In March 2021, Australia established the Alternative Proteins Committee (APC) to support the industry and related companies.
- In November 2021, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs stated its support for the production and exploration of the alternative protein industry in response to a proposal from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
- In June 2022, the UK’s National Food Strategy allocated £120 million for the UK Research and Innovation Agency (UKRI) to conduct alternative protein research.
- In July 2022, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce supported local companies in creating value from insect-based protein food production.
- In September 2022, Israel prioritized video technology and alternative proteins.
Within Japan, numerous companies are actively advancing alternative protein production. In March of this year, AzumaFoods in Mie Prefecture claimed to be developing convenient seafood products using konjac powder and starch. These include six items such as imitation tuna and salmon sashimi, resembling both in appearance and lacking the typical fishy odor, with cooking methods similar to real fish.
Current global research directions for alternative proteins include plant-based, insect-based, microbial proteins, and cellular alternatives. The production and research costs for alternative proteins are high, and technological challenges persist. Particularly, the cost of cell-cultured meat far exceeds that of real meat, requiring considerable time for industrial development.
In conclusion, although the short-term effects of pollutants on algae, seafood, and human consumption remain uncertain, the sewage increases the baseline radiation value, potentially impacting marine organisms comprehensively and even altering marine genes. As Earth’s ecology shifts, food safety will likely pose one of humanity’s most challenging survival issues in the future.
