SEADNA STRIKES CHINA DEAL

With a new year now upon us SeaDNA has headed for new horizons. SeaDNA is proud to announce a new China partnership, signed during the Québec Trade Mission to China: “QUEBECCHINE2018”.

Two major events this week in the mega-centers of Beijing and Shanghai will help introduce SeaDNA’s world-class and 100% Canadian lines of Omega-3 seal oil products to the globe’s largest marketplace.

First stop on the China tour is the Capital where SeaDNA has signed a new partnership with a Beijing-based import company. 

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard was on hand for the signing that will promote and distribute SeaDNA’s products in China. 

SeaDNA is represented on this journey by Director of Business Development, Mme Romy Vaugeois. Mme Vaugeois is very familiar with the host country as she previously spent five years in China working in business while gaining an impressive command of Mandarin. Vaugeois’ language skills and knowledge of norms and practices will be invaluable as SeaDNA continues to find new avenues and partnerships to bring great Canadian seal products to the world.

Vaugeois says, “SeaDNA is pleased to be able to count on the collaboration of its Chinese partners in order to further promote this unique and abundant Canadian resource that is Omega-3 seal oil and seal meat.”

Next up is a trip south to Shanghai for a huge exposition held in one of the jewels of this international business hub.

The Festival of Québec Products in Shanghai will take place at the Daning Commerce Center(大宁国际商业广场)from January 23rd to February 11th. The Commerce Center will resemble a little Québec over this time as the province showcases the best products the area has to offer.  Not only will Quebec companies like SeaDNA get new eyes on them, the space in Shanghai will take on a decidedly Quebecois flair with the construction of a classic “Sugar Shack” and other cultural elements on display.

The Québec showcase in Shanghai will also be joined by Québec Premier Philippe Couillard for the opening ceremony on January 26th to further help promote what the province has to offer. Meetings with Chinese buyers and distributors will open many possibilities for the Québec delegation in China.

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The Canadian seal harvest is sustainable, quota-based, responsible and strictly monitored by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. With an estimated population of at least 7.5 million the North Atlantic harp seal herd is incredibly abundant and at no risk.

All SeaDNA products are produced in facilities approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

SeaDNA’s line of Omega-3 products have all been certified as Natural Products by Health Canada.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact SeaDNA at sales@seadna.ca.

CHARCUTER-IFFIC!!!

Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board?

Meaty, salty, indulgent, delicious. They are a perfect choice for any occasion, especially those special ones that come over the holiday season or during the long winter.

Here in Quebec we sometimes refer to these great products as “Corchonailles.” But it’s time your charcuterie repertoire expands with SeaDNA’s great line of “Phoconailles.”

From the Magdalen Islands, one of the most special places in the province, we are proud to bring to the Quebec mainland an amazing selection of specialty products featuring a great Canadian protein: seal.

Responsibly harvested and prepared with a lifetime of knowledge, it is Boucherie Cote a Cote we turn to for the man who knows how to make seal butchery magic.

Nicolas Beaupré (Co-propriétaire de la Boucherie Côte-à-côte) et Réjean Vigneau (Président de SeaDNA et Co-propriétaire de la Boucherie Côte-à-côte aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine). Crédit photo Dominique Lebel, 2017.

Rejean Vigneau has been working with seal for decades and his effort has helped shape best practices for an entire industry when it comes to processing and utilization. Vigneau and his team’s ability to integrate, understand and create flavours that compliment and improve the already great taste of seal means you are in for something special and wonderful on your table.

Whether it be a traditional pepperete, a terrine, effiloche, salami or smoked seal, SeaDNA seal charcuterie delivers a wild game experience that is incredibly tasty and features a wildly nutritious base.

Seal meat itself is very lean, but thankfully pork is a great compliment to provide both flavour and needed fat to these products. It is for this reason as well that these great charcuterie products can only be sold in Quebec.

Federally a seal is considered a fish. In Quebec however, it is considered a mammal. There are very few, if any, processing facilities in Canada that are approved for both classifications. This means that only here in Quebec we can mix pork with seal and make these amazing things for you. I guess that’s one more reason to consider yourself very lucky to come from this great province!!!

The Canadian seal harvest is quota-based like any wild hunt and is monitored and regulated by the Canadian government. The seal herd in the North Atlantic is completely sustainable and growing annually.


We encourage everyone from Quebec to discover a truly unique and delicious experience.

Discover Phoconailles today at www.seadna.ca

For more information: sales@seadna.ca

 

 

 

 

GOLD MEDAL SEAL

When chef Walid El-Tawel, the force behind Ottawa’s brilliant Fairouz, started his preparation for the prestigious Gold Medal Plates competition in the capital his plan was clear.

“At Fairouz our philosophy and vision has been to marry great Canadian ingredients with Middle Eastern flavours and nuances. So, we embarked on a mission to find what demonstrates Canadian heritage and pays respect to Middle Eastern food culture,” El-Tawel said.

This mission brought El-Tawel to one protein in particular: SeaDNA seal meat, a unique Canadian canvas on which he was able to put his own creative spin.

“Seal came on to my radar a few months ago when Louis Diament brought in a guest from Montreal who did a demonstration at the restaurant for us. It stayed in the back of my mind and followed up that day with lots of research and found that seal is just as a part of Canadian history as maple syrup and foie gras.”

El-Tawel continues: “I embraced the opportunity to celebrate Canada’s rich culinary heritage by celebrating lesser known protein sources because as Chefs it is our job to be educators. Canada 150 played a huge role in how we approached the dish philosophy.  I believe we embodied what it is to be a modern Middle Eastern in Canada and what Fairouz food culture is.”

Gold Medal Plates means hundreds of discerning palates to impress and taste-buds to blow away and El-Tawel was able to fuse his heritages in a way that showcased both his skills and remarkable culinary imagination.

“The dish was Ras al Hanout crusted seal with rose & hibiscus fluid gel and pickled lentils. The Ras al Hanout 21 ingredient spice blend was a marriage between middle eastern ingredients and Canadian ingredients. We used seaweed from the Haida Gwaii, dulse from the East coast to add some nice underlying saltiness to the spice blend.”

Visually stunning and utterly delicious, El-Tawel’s Gold Medal offering earned rave reviews from those in attendance including foodies, Olympians, and critics.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Chef Walid is creating some amazing hometown fare with his Fairouz earning nods such as: Best New Restaurant In Canada – Top 30 (EnRoute), Best Restaurant in Ottawa – Top 10 (Ottawa Magazine) and is listed at #46 in Canada’s top 100 restaurants.

We congratulate Walid for the honour of competing in Gold Medal Plates and salute him for helping showcase one of Canada’s truly great products.

For reservations and more info on Fairouz in Ottawa: https://www.fairouz.ca/

For more information on SeaDNA Seal Meat: http://www.seadna.ca

 

 

Go Wild With Seal

We realize that at first wild game can seem a little intimidating. But each different game has its own flavour characteristics and can be a very rewarding meal. If you have never tried seal, it is similar to beef but carries its own unique and inviting taste.

 

The hunt to eat healthy has led to more and more Canadians adding wild game to their diet. There are many factors that consumers weight before making this decision. Here are a couple reasons why SeaDNA Seal Meat is a great, healthy choice:

Benefits Of Wild Game Vs. Farm Meats

1. LEANER:

Most farm-raised animals live a much more sedentary lifestyle and often have a higher fat diet designed to increase bulk. Wild game eat a natural diet and are generally much more active. Seal is incredibly lean (2% fat) as the fat layer is separate from the meat of the mammal.

2. NATURALLY RAISED:

SeaDNA Seal Meat is wild caught in the icy waters off the coast of Atlantic Canada. It is free of added hormones or antibiotics.

3. CONTAINS OMEGA-3:

Wild game meat has Omega-3 running through it and seal is no different. Omega-3’s have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and can aid in the battle against arthritis among other benefits.

4. MORE NUTRITIOUS:

Game is known for its great nutritional value and seal certainly fits the bill. It is packed with protein, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin B-12. 

 

5. LOW IN FAT AND CALORIES:

When compared to farmed animals such as cows and chickens, SeaDNA seal meat has an average of 2% fat while their domesticated competitors typically have a fat content of 25-30%. Not just any fat either. We’re talking a lot less saturated fat (the bad fat).  Compared to other wild game meat, it is the lowest in calories (100 Kcal/100g).

 

SEAL MEAT (per portion of 100 g)
CALORIES:  1oo
PROTEIN:  23g
FAT: 1g

 

HARP SEAL LOIN

 

 

HARP SEAL FLIPPER

 

Seal Meat Cuts

If you’re wondering about the variety of cuts available, seal steaks, seal shoulders (flipper), sausages, merguez, burger are the most common options, and seal sausages is a surprisingly lean choice.

Click here for more information on our seal cuts and seal charcuteries (Phoconailles). 

 

Cooking Seal Meat

When it comes to cooking wild game, you may be interested to know that the guidelines are pretty similar to how you would cook any red meat. There is only one hard-set rule with cooking wild meats: don’t overcook. As previously mentioned, wild game is very lean, which means that if you cook it too long, the meat is sure to dry out big time.

On our website, you can find different seal meat recipes:

 

Where to Buy Seal Meat?

Our seal meat is available in different butcher shops, fish markets and specialty stores and restaurants across the country.  Click here to find out about our most recent update of the locations offering seal meat.   Please note that you might have to call in advance to order your seal meat or to make sure that the restaurant is currently offering seal meat on its menu.

 

The Canadian Seal Harvest

The Canadian seal harvest is no different from any other wild game harvest. The Canadian government sets an annual quota, monitors and regulates the hunt, and ensures that any part of the animal used for human consumption is tested and safe.

You can find more info on the straight seal facts, seal populations, myths and realities on SeaDNA’s website. You can also find a lot of additional information on Seals & Sealing Network website.

 

 

IT’S SHOW TIME: SEADNA AT CHFA EAST 2017!

If you’ve ever logged on to www.SeaDNA.ca then you’ve probably seen a simple statement. Four little words that encapsulate what SeaDNA Canada is all about:

Natural.
Unique.
Pure.
Canadian.

With this in mind we are gearing up for the biggest health show in Eastern Canada: CHFA Toronto.

The Canadian Health Food Association’s health show in T.O. brings together a “who’s who” of the industry in one (large and extremely busy) place. Over 850 exhibitors representing the best in the Canadian health industry will assemble at the Toronto Convention Centre on September 16th and 17th. SeaDNA is proud that our great seal products will be showcased to this educated and experienced crowd of health product experts.

SeaDNA will be presenting three products at CHFA:

  • Our Omega-3 Seal Oil capsules
  • Our Omega-3 Seal Oil in free form *New*
  • Our Chipotle, Pepper & Maple Seal Jerky *New*

SEADNA OMEGA-3 SEAL OIL CAPSULES

Both SeaDNA capsules and our new Lemon Oil have the same great properties and are a natural alternative to the often highly concentrated oils that promise artificially increased levels of EPA and DHA.

Why Seal Oil?

1/ Contains DPA:

DPA occurs naturally in few places: Seal Oil and a mother’s breast milk are two.  DPA intensifies the benefits of traditional Omega-3’s (DHA and EPA).

 

2/ 10 X More Effective:

The maximal stimulation of endothelial cell migration by DPA can be achieved using only 1/10 of the required EPA concentration.

3/ Easy to digest:

The mammalian molecular triglyceride structure of the seal is more easily accepted by the human body which means no “fishy burps” and optimal absorption for better results.

 *NEW* SEADNA LEMON- FLAVOURED OMEGA-3 SEAL OIL

More Omega-3 Every Day:

Only 1 teaspoon equals 800mg of DHA+EPA+DPA!

Even Better Absorption:

Seal oil molecules have Omega-3 fats primarily in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions as opposed to the sn-2 position of fish oil. Fats in the sn-3 position are more readily absorbed by the body. In a liquid form seal oil has been shown to promote even faster absorption, leading to greater effectiveness.

Ideal For Kids:

No capsules to swallow and easy to add to the morning juice!

Easy To Incorporate Into Your Daily Routine:

Add it to your smoothie or salad!

*NEW* SeaDNA SEAL JERKY 

The great, natural benefits seal can provide can also be found in our new seal jerky, which we are excited to also present at CHFA East.

A quick search of the Googles will tell you that a “Superfood” is defined as “a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.”

They are foods that offer something special. An extra boost from mother nature that separates it from the pack.

SeaDNA Seal Jerky is exactly this. In fact, it might just be the most nutritious jerky option on the market. Check this out:


Yes. Those are the correct values. For each 30g serving you get 15g of protein. This ratio is almost unheard of. And it has plenty of other great health benefits too.

Oh, We should also mention that SeaDNA Seal Jerky tastes fantastic!

Our smoky blend of chipotle, pepper & maple compliments the natural taste of the seal to create a high-energy, delicious jerky product that stands alone among its peers.

The good folks behind CHFA East in Toronto proclaim in their show preview that “there’s always something new to discover.”

We agree.

SeaDNA Omega-3 Seal Oil and our natural Seal Jerky are ready to be discovered and experienced as this evolution of a Canadian tradition continues. 

SeaDNA Canada will be in Booth 2112 at the Canada Health Food Association’s East Trade Show in Toronto on September 16th and 17th.

For more information on SeaDNA Canada: www.seadna.ca or email sales@seadna.ca.

 

Our seal products are approved and certified by:

 

REFERENCES:

(1) F.Shahidi, et al. Seal blubber oil: a novel source of w3 fatty acids, 1996.

(2) Toshie Kanayasu-Toyoda, et al. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5, n-3), an elongation metabolite of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5, n-3), is a potent stimulator of endothelial cell migration on pretreatment in vitro, 1996.

(3) Neil J. Mann, et al. Effects of seal oil and tuna-fish oil on platelet parameters and plasma lipid levels in healthy subjects, epub, 2010.

(4) Wang J, et al. Effect of chemical randomization on positional distribution and stability of omega-3 oil triacylglycerols, 2010.

(5) Mason RP, Sherratt SC.Omega-3 fatty acid fish oil dietary supplements contain saturated fats and oxidized lipids that may interfere with their intended biological benefits, 2017.

(6) Mann NJ, et al. Effects of seal oil and tuna-fish oil on platelet parameters and plasma lipid levels in healthy subjects, 2010.

 

SEAL GNOCCHI POUTINE

Ingredients:

  • Seal merguez
  • Grain cheese (to taste)
  • Kale
  • Marinated pearl onions
  • Veal stock

For sweet potato gnocchi:

  • 500 g of sweet potato puree
  • 250g of mashed potatoes
  • 300g of flour
  • 1 egg
  • Salt

Preparation:

For gnocchi:

  1. Mix all the ingredients
  2. Spread the dough 2 cm thick
  3. Slice strips lengthwise and cut into thumb size pieces
  4. Store in freezer

For the poutine with the merguez:

  1. Preheat the fryer to 350F
  2. Cut the merguez and roast in the skillet
  3. Add the kale with the merguez
  4. Put the gnocchi in the fryer until they go up
  5. Drain and place on a plate
  6. Place merguez, kale, onions and cheese on the gnocchi
  7. Drizzle with veal stock

 

 

Recipe by: Chef Benoit Lenglet