Creating Sustainable Foods with Plant-Based Protein

Project Title: ProScreen: A Novel plant-based Fishball

Pioneering the Future of Plant-Based Seafood

As global demand for alternative proteins surges, SIT’s ProScreen research initiative is redefining the plant-based food landscape with an innovative fishball alternative—now available at major supermarkets and online. Manufactured by local food producer Ha Li Fa, this plant-based product offers a healthier, more sustainable substitute to traditional surimi seafood.

Fast-Tracking Innovation via High-Throughput Screening

One of the key challenges in advancing alternative proteins is efficiently evaluating plant-based ingredients for texture, taste, and nutritional quality. Through ProScreen, SIT has developed automated high-throughput profiling and screening capabilities that can help shorten product development cycles. These tools help identify optimal plant-based protein fractions and support sodium reduction strategies—paving the way for formulations that meet the Healthier Choice Symbol criteria.

By harnessing interdisciplinary expertise in food technology, robotics, data analytics, and food safety, SIT is setting new standards for efficiency, precision, and innovation in food product development.

From Lab to Plate: Industry-Driven Impact

The collaboration with Ha Li Fa has translated SIT’s research into a commercially successful plant-based fishball—bringing sustainable seafood alternatives to mainstream consumers. This is a powerful example of how applied research at SIT bridges the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application.

Expanding the Frontiers of Sustainable Food

ProScreen is more than just a research tool—it is a catalyst for transforming how food manufacturers approach product innovation. By enabling faster and smarter development of plant-based alternatives, it opens doors to a wider array of sustainable food products.

Looking ahead, SIT continues to refine ProScreen by improving sustainability, enhancing data structuring, and expanding its range of measurable food qualities. As the initiative scales, ProScreen brings Singapore one step closer to making sustainable and healthier food options a part of everyday life.