Would you eat a vegetarian shrimp? Tyson is counting on it. Through its corporate venture subsidiary, Tyson Ventures, the company has completed an investment in New Wave Foods®. Based in San Francisco, New Wave Foods is focused on producing plant-based shellfish and plans to have a shrimp alternative ready for food service operators in early 2020.

“Our plant-based shrimp cooks and tastes just like the real thing, and it matches the texture, taste, performance and versatility of shrimp fresh from the ocean. The proof is in the overwhelming, positive response we have had to the product,” Mary McGovern, CEO of New Wave Foods said.

The company’s first offering, a plant-based shrimp, is made with sustainably sourced seaweed and plant protein, and contains all 8 essential amino acids that are found in all meats and seafoods. It also contains no allergens, zero cholesterol and is lower in both calories and salt than real shrimp.