New data from Hailia reveals certain by-product-based products can far outshine prime fish fillets when it comes to providing consumers with essential nutrients

As global seafood demand rises and pressure mounts to make better use of marine resources, Finland’s Hailia is rethinking what many consider “waste”. The seafood tech company has developed an innovative process to transform fish filleting side-streams — including heads, fins and frames — into nutrient-dense food products that rival traditional fillets and even premium supplements. Underpinning these efforts, its latest research reveals that these previously undervalued parts of the fish contain dramatically higher levels of collagen, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc and omega-3s than fillets, thus positioning them as a potential “superfood” for the future.