Home ›› 25 Dec 2021 ›› Front
Two Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University teachers have innovated fish-based snacks, and several companies that want to commercially produce and market the products are now in talks with them.
More than 10 biscuit and bakery companies have communicated with the two innovators – Md Masud Rana, assistant professor of post-harvest technology, and Kazi Ahsan Habib, professor of fisheries biology and genetics – to discuss their proposals. Bangas, Century, Paragon, and Krishibid Group are among them.
The invention has also attracted foreign companies, including one from Canada, that want to buy the rights.
If the products are commercially produced and marketed, local businesses importing such items will no longer need to do so. Besides, the products can be exported as well.
“Producing fish-based snacks with dried fish powder will be a profitable business. The snacks can also play a role in meeting our nutritional deficiency. Besides, such innovations are good for the industry,” PRAN-RFL Group Marketing Director Kamruzzaman Kamal told The Business Post.
He said there are no fish-based food products in the local market at present. “There are products, including bakery items, that contain only different fish flavours. But the commercialisation of new products is always a big challenge.”
Details of the innovation
The snacks, including cookies, will be made using fish flesh powder of pangas, silver carp, tilapia, and tuna.
The innovators have already patented their idea with the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the industries ministry. The gazette notification was published on November 25.
The patent says fish is a very perishable item that requires proper handling and preservation to increase shelf life as well as retain quality and nutritional value. Besides, value can be added to fish and fishery products according to the requirements of different markets.
Professor Habib told The Business Post snacks, including cookies, available in the market now are made with ingredients such as flour, leaven, salt, sugar, butter, egg, oil, and flavour.
He said fish consumption helps reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease and mortality as it contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, essential amino acids, and docosahexaenoic acid.
“Increased protein intake also balances blood sugar and insulin levels, reducing cravings and detoxing the liver. That is why fish protein-based food is relatively nutritious and safe than carbohydrates for humans,” he said.
His co-innovator Masud told The Business Post fish-based biscuits, noodles, and chanachur would improve people’s access to nutritious food and also create business opportunities.
Mentioning that child malnutrition is a global problem, he said a common snack for children is biscuits prepared from cereals, but those have low protein.
“That is why producing healthier biscuits rich in essential ingredients and other micronutrients will play a role in fighting malnutrition. Products made from our innovation will be dry and ready to eat.”
Masud further said their research had shown that fish powder or products could be preserved for six months without preservatives. They started their research in 2017 and submitted the patent application to DPDT early last year.
“Normal biscuits are usually priced at Tk 150-200 per kg. But biscuits having 30 per cent fish protein may be sold at around Tk 300 per kg. This will be affordable for local consumers. Also, both fishermen and fish farmers will get fair prices if our idea is marketed.”
Fish powder produced using the method of the two researchers will have 80-90 per cent protein. The products made from this will contain 30-40 per cent protein.
The current market size of biscuits and confectioneries in Bangladesh is around $597-717 million, with big brands holding 40-50 per cent of the market share. Olympic, Pran, Goldmark, Ifad, Kishwan, Bangas, Danish, Nabisco, Al-Amin, Cocola, Haque, Bengal, Century, and Reedisha are among the big companies. Net earnings from exporting these items stood at $283 million in the fiscal year 2020-21.
Bangladesh Auto Biscuits and Bread Manufacturers Association says the current annual production of biscuits exceeds 65,000 metric tonnes. The biscuit and bakery market is forecast to grow at 15 per cent over the next few years.
