Each year, more than 200,000 tons of tropical seaweed is dried and farmed. Nearly 60,000 family farmers in Africa and the Philippines are responsible for producing the majority of red seaweed worldwide. These families use sustainable farming techniques to preserve the natural habitats they farm.
Seaweed farming is one the most sustainable forms of aquaculture. Tropical carrageenanNo chemical treatments are required for cultivation, including fertilizers. Seaweed farms are a way to help coral reefs. They provide a safe habitat for local fish and invertebrates. This increases the diversity of the area where seaweed is grown. Seaweed farming doesn’t change the physical landscape or seascape and can help to mitigate green house gas emissions, excess nitrogen and harmful algae blooms.
Carrageenan is a natural extract from red seaweed. It is used in many recipes, including dairy desserts and shelf-stable beverages.
There are 7 billion people on the planet to feed. It is vital to ensure that products can travel safely and reach their destination intact. The Harvard School of Public Health estimates that millions of people suffer from protein malnutrition around the globe. Carrageenan is used in protein-enriched drinks to increase and protect the nutritional value of proteins. It also improves the creaminess of processed foods. Carrageenan is used in liquid nutritional supplements for infants, young children. It is useful for ensuring that children have safe access to nutrition, especially in areas with low water quality and high levels of malnutrition.
Carrageenan is not only good for nutrition, but it also helps to reduce food waste. Each year, over 1.3 billion tons worth of food go unaccounted for in the world. Carrageenan can be used in beverages and packaged foods to prolong shelf life.
Carrageenan, a valuable food additive, helps ensure that the supply of food is safe, healthy and accessible. Seaweed is a product that farmers harvest by hand from all over the world. It provides a foundation for a food system that can provide enough food for the entire planet.
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