Skretting launches groundbreaking functional feed for fish

NORWAY – Norway-headquartered feed producer Skretting has unveiled Necto, a next-generation functional diet for fish that integrates proprietary EDGEOS PhytoComplexes, a unique blend of plant-based extracts designed to enhance fish health, welfare, and resilience.

The product, which will be available in selected markets by the end of 2025, marks the first time Skretting has incorporated PhytoComplexes into a commercial feed. 

Developed in collaboration with Nutreco Exploration, the plant research division of Skretting’s parent company Nutreco, the innovation underscores a decisive shift in aquaculture towards holistic animal welfare.

“With Necto, we are harnessing the complexity of plants and combining this with years of experience in health research to create a truly innovative diet,” said Dr. Linda Jensen, Skretting’s Team Lead for Health. 

“Necto is a holistic solution that supports fish health and resilience in an unprecedented way.”

A new era in functional feeds

According to Skretting, Necto was developed through a collaboration involving nine research partners across five countries. 

Results from independent third-party studies consistently show that the diet improves fish welfare and survival rates across several species.

The feed combines PhytoComplexes with other advanced functional ingredients to form what the company calls “a complex, innovative and effective solution” that supports fish in resisting stressors, adapting to challenges, and recovering quickly from them.

Skretting’s focus with Necto is not merely on disease prevention but on enabling fish to thrive under variable and often stressful aquaculture conditions. 

This approach reflects an industry-wide shift from disease resistance to resilience, the ability of fish to withstand and recover from environmental, nutritional, and physiological challenges.

“Necto is not just another phytogenic solution, it’s a revolution in aquaculture,” said Anna Hesby Nessa, Skretting’s Global Product Manager for Warm Water Species Health.

“Through the precise selection and advanced cultivation of certain plants, we have taken a health product’s multifunctional performance to the next level.”

Harnessing the power of plants

The PhytoComplexes in Necto are derived from carefully chosen plants, formulated to interact with multiple biological pathways in fish. 

This allows the feed to support immune function and maintain normal physiological processes even in the face of inflammation or environmental stress.

“Functional feeds have been used effectively in our industry for several decades, but Necto is completely unique,” said Dr. Gordon Ritchie, Skretting’s Global Product Manager for Salmon Health. 

“It is a powerhouse combination of solid nutrition, well-established functional ingredients, and PhytoComplexes that represents a truly exciting contributor to integrated fish health management.”

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