The story started with an article published by esteemed Harvard University in 2023, extolling the benefits of “Eating down the seafood chain”, meaning sardines. What was their basis?
To start, the health benefits are tremendous. In a world of increasing metabolic health concerns, the blend of protein and Omega 3 fats, with nil carbohydrates, makes sardines a perfect fit for metabolic health. In addition, sardines are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, with plentiful levels of vitamin B12, D, calcium, selenium, phosphorous, iron, iodine, and CoQ10.
Finally, by being a small fish down the food chain, sardines are safe with low risk of containing mercury, unlike the larger fish species.
No wonder Harvard Health dedicated a report on sardines and other small marine foods, in its mission to educate the public.
The report may be found here:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-eat-lower-on-the-seafood-chain-202303222904
The US-based Medical Wellness Association (MWA), the world’s leading organization of health, wellness, and medical professionals with over 6,000 members, then decided to take a deeper look.
Are any specific sardines better than others? Are all brands the same? They specifically focused on processing of the sardines. What happens after they are wild caught at sea?
One brand stood out. The brand is Mega Sardines, from the Philippines.
What creates the edge for Mega is its vertical integration and unique innovation. Mega doesn’t lease fishing fleets, which means poor control over the systems at sea to ensure the wild-caught sardines are kept fresh.
No, Mega owns its entire fleet, and drives rigorous discipline to ensure maximum freshness and hygiene.
What all this means is it ensures “Catch to can in under 12 hours”.
This is unprecedented speed of processing which delivers the freshest catch of wild caught sardines for consumers. This is a significant insurance policy to ensure freshness and preservation of the nutrients. 12 hours versus in many cases, days.
Based upon a review of the nutrient profile of sardines, coupled with the unique means of Mega’s processing, the MWA has done something never done in their 30+ year history: They have bestowed upon Mega Sardines the classification of “Superfood”, the first seafood worldwide to be granted the “Superfood” designation.
Dr. Christopher Breuleux, president and founder of the MWA remarked, “Mega Sardines can play a vital role in helping consumers around the world battle metabolic and cardiovascular disease. It is truly a gift from nature for human health, and the processing is done with ultimate care and with an eye towards preserving freshness all the way to the dinner table. It is, indeed, a ‘Superfood’ everyone should increase their intake of.”
The Mega approach and innovation are rooted with Mega’s founder, William Tiu Lim.
Tiu Lim’s dream from the very beginning five decades ago was noble, to find ways to ensure cost-effective, nutritious meals for the poorer households in his native Philippines. The pride on his face is evident as he holds the certificate from the MWA, as a validation of his work over the past 50 years.
“Today, Mega Sardines is no longer a fishing company, but a global wellness company. We want to help improve the wellness of the world’s consumers. This is a legacy and a mission worth fighting for”, said Tiu Lim.
Next dinner, with an eye towards health, you might want to find yourself saying, “Honey, please pass the sardines”.