Food from the Sea 



for International Development assuming lead agency responsibility for the 

 program. Initial objectives included development of competitive commercial 

 processes for producing FPG.® 

 The program is intended to : 



— determine and develop the potential market for FPC in selected 



developing countries; 

 — establish a viable commercial FPC system in at least one protein- 

 deficient country; and 

 — encourage other nations and private interests to establish commercial 

 fishing industries in the developing countries. 

 AID has conducted preliminary surveys of the opportunities for develop- 

 ing FPC capabilities in a number of Latin American, Asian, and African 

 nations. As a result of these surveys, more intensive studies have been initi- 

 ated on a bilateral basis in Chile, Korea, and Morocco to determine whether 

 and in what form FPC-fortified foods can be marketed commercially in 

 these countries. These studies will continue through FY 1970 and will assist 

 potential investors in determining the commercial attractiveness of FPC 

 investments. They encompass : 



— market analysis including identification of factors contributing to die- 

 tary patterns and determination of opportunities for encouraging con- 

 sumer acceptability of FPC such as introducing FPC into govern- 

 ment feeding programs; 

 — supply analysis to determine availability of an adequate supply of 



inexpensive underutilized fish stocks; and 

 — product development and testing to determine the suitability of 

 FPC in fortifying local foods such as flour, bread, and pasta. 

 During 1968, AID ordered $900,000 worth of FPC from Alpine Marine 

 Products Corporation for use in overseas feeding programs conducted by 

 voluntary agencies. The contract price was 42 cents per pound. This FPC 

 will be used as an additive in a number of basic foods, complementing the 

 product development and testing programs in Chile, Korea, and Morocco. 

 A second purchase is proposed in FY 1970. 



' Many abundant fish species can be converted into a nutritious and wholesome 

 protein concentrate (FPC) that is tasteless and odorless. The FDA has authorized 

 two processes for producing FPC from hake or hake-like species. FPC is bacterio- 

 logically and biochemically safe and stable without refrigeration or other special process. 

 Its protein is easily digestible. It can be easily stored and transported and can be readily 

 added to a variety of foods commercially consumed in the developing nations. Ten 

 grams will provide adequate animal protein to meet the daily requirements of one 

 child. Research is underway to reduce the cost of this daily requirement to less than 

 one cent per day which is expected to make FPC competitive with other protein 

 supplements. 



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