Product Development, Commercialization and Marketing of the World’s First: Blanched-IQF Ready to Eat Whole Mussels in Shell

Summary:
This project has succeeded in helping Newfoundland Organic Seafoods Inc. to build a pilot plant for preparing cooked and frozen ready-to-eat mussels in the shell. Cleaned and graded live mussels were put into specialized containers for cooking, chilling and freezing.  After freezing, mussels were glazed in various beers for added flavor and to help prevent dehydration. The overall process works well but will need refinement and additions before commercial trial runs can be carried out. During the trial runs, samples were also prepared for Molson Brewery for shelf life studies. After a month in the freezer there is no indication of any bitterness or off-flavor from any of the beer varieties used in the glazing process. Further trials will be carried out over the next couple of months to determine how well the product holds up over time in a conventional deep freeze. With some additions and adjustments to existing equipment, the facility will be ready to prepare value added products for test marketing.

Project Lead: Newfoundland Organic Seafoods Inc.

Total Project Cost: $145,460
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $80,960

Other Financial Support:

• Proponent: Newfoundland Organic Seafoods Inc.

For more information, please contact the regional coordinator:

Newfoundland Region coordinator, Chris.Hendry@dfo-mpo.gc.ca