Whether low-carbohydrate dieting has staying power need not be a concern to the segment's manufacturers. For consumers on such diets, protein sources such as fish and seafood are a viable alternative to red meat and poultry. Should those diets fade, the segment will benefit from the healthful positioning inherent in many of its products; salmon, for example, has been well-cited as a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Long a staple in the homes of many consumers, shelf-stable or canned foods have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, buoyed by new types of packaging that help make fish a convenient meal or snack. Tuna, in particular, has benefited from pouch packaging, but its sales have suffered in the wake of mercury concerns. An effort to reassure consumers of the benefits of eating canned tuna saw competitors StarKist (H.J. Heinz, Pittsburgh), Bumble Bee (Connors Bros. Income Fund, Blacks Harbour, N.B.) and Chicken of the Sea (San Diego) collaborate in a joint campaign. Of course, each also continued with its own advertising efforts, but the joint campaign does serve to indicate just how seriously the segment's companies regard the potential threat.