Czech preschool and school children consume significantly less fish than recommended by nutrition experts. Yet childhood is the key period when lifelong eating habits are formed. A lack of fish in the diet leads to low intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the proper development of the brain, heart, and overall vitality.
A team of researchers from the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice therefore focused on developing special fish-based products for children. In collaboration with Tilapia s.r.o., the product line Happy Fish Delicates was created, offering items such as sausages, balls, and burgers that are tasty, healthy, and affordable. During development, the researchers tested the products directly in kindergartens, studying which shapes, colors, or seasonings appealed most to children. The resulting products are popular among kids, contain less salt than conventional meat products, are rich in high-quality proteins, and provide significant amounts of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
A key part of the project is sustainability – the products also make use of parts of fish that would not normally be sold as fillets. This lowers production costs, increases processing efficiency, and helps save raw materials.
Thanks to the cooperation between science, schools, and the commercial sector, the project already has a concrete impact: Happy Fish Delicates products are now successfully delivered to more than 200 schools and kindergartens across the Czech Republic. This approach not only promotes healthier eating habits in children but also contributes to the sustainable use of food resources.
Further details can be found in the original article: Jia, H., Fuka, Z., Hora, J., Marešová, M., Adámková, V., Roy, K., Mráz, J., 2025. Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children. Aquaculture Reports 10: 102647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102647
Written by: Assoc. Prof. Jan Mráz
