OUR STORY
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The Beginning
Owners, Chris & Trish Redwood have been involved in the mussel farming industry for over 40 years. Having grown up on Forsyth Island on the outer of the Marlborough Sounds, Chris (and his father Pembroke Henry Redwood) saw the potential for mussel farming around the island, in the late 1970s. To this day this is where most of the Redwood farms are still located. The isolation and strong abundant currents making for superb growing conditions.
New 1kg Products
In 2006, a 1Kg version was added and in 2007 the 1Kg Omega Seafood Cooked Gourmet Littleneck Clams followed to finish the range.
Hard earned domestic and international success has followed. Omega Seafood now sells around the world across foodservice and retail sectors.
Meanwhile P.H.R Processing Ltd enjoys trusted contract processing relationships with key seafood partners.
Launching Omega Seafood
In 2003, joined by Trish’s siblings Jo and Sandy O’Connell, P.H.R Processing Ltd (a homage to Chris’ father), was formed. The following year they launched the 500g Omega Seafood Cooked Gourmet Greenshell Mussels.
The outstanding flavour, texture and shelf life were rewarded by winning the highly prestigious “European Seafood Exposition Prix d’Elite for Foodservice (and the convenience category)” in 2005.
Second
Generation
Now going into a new decade Chris and Trish's children are heavily involved in the business. With the added value of the second generation coming through, this has built on the ever growing success of the company.
Keeping us a New Zealand family owned and operated business.
WHAT WE DO
Taking what nature has given us, our primary aim is to create all natural, lightly cooked shellfish which can be eaten straight from the pack or used anywhere live would normally be used. We take nature and make it safer and more convenient!
Without additives and full of innate flavour, our mussels and clams provide the presentation and preparation options of fresh shellfish, without the time, wastage and food safety concerns.
Our products enjoy a 12 month chilled shelf life chilled (mussels keep 24 months frozen).
Note that Omega Seafood Mussels and Clams come from sustainably managed brood stocks.
SUSTAINABILITY OF
GREENSHELL
MUSSEL FARMING
New Zealand's Greenshell mussels have been judged one of the most Ocean friendly
farmed greenshell mussels ocean-friendly seafood in the world by the USA’s highly respected
We are proud to be apart of the A+ Sustainable Aquaculture New Zealand as a company
that can confirm our support of A+ by requiring that all our suppliers are members of A+ through
the implementation of the A+ Procurement Policy: For More information.
A+ is a world class sustainable management framework that enables the New Zealand aquaculture
industry to better engage with our communities and continuously improve our environmental
practices while strengthening global demand for our seafood.
Our commitment to you at PHR Processing Ltd, we constantly look to identify, manage and mitigate our company’s overall carbon footprint.
We constantly engage with our suppliers about lessening our impact on the ecosystem.
Note that because of the long shelf life our products enjoy, this means that they can travel to foreign markets by sea freight and still taste fresh, incurring no air miles.
ABOUT GREENSHELL
MUSSELS AND
LITTLENECK CLAMS
Greenshell Mussels feed by filtering algae and other plankton, thereby improving the quality of the surrounding water.
Our mussels are grown on ropes suspended in coastal water, which causes little habitat disruption. Our seed comes from wild collection, and there are no major concerns about depleting broodstock. New Zealand Greenshell Mussels need no artificial feeding and are free of growth promoters or additives such as fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. Our Littleneck Clams come from sustainably managed bedss. The areas where our clams are wild caught have been successfully managed under a government quota system since 2002 and fish stocks are considered to be healthy.
HEALTHY SEAS MAKE
HEALTHY SHELLFISH
Mother nature has blessed New Zealand with some of the cleanest seawater on the planet. Remote and close to Antarctica, the sea is also brimming with the building blocks of all life in the ocean, phytoplankton. Two factors which make our shellfish so tasty and nutritious.
Phytoplankton’s vital importance as the start of the ocean food web can’t be overstated. All life in the ocean begins with these microscopic algal organisms, the building blocks of the Omega oil chain. Algae contain high levels of essential fats like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which when eaten are transferred into its meat.
New Zealand green shell mussels are unique to New Zealand, feeding naturally on Antarctic phytoplankton, they have evolved to have a superior nutritional profile to all other mussels on the planet.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Omega 3 oils
Omega 3 oils are important for the formation of cell membranes, eye and brain development in children, emotional stability, cognitive function as well as brain and heart health. Mussels are high in protein and low in fat yet providing 680mg of omega-3 from EPA and DHA in one serving.
Omega-3 also assists in blood circulation by lowering blood fats and preventing blood clot formation. Better blood circulation lessens the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Omega-3 is also believed to be an anti-inflammatory agent that aids in the reduction of such health problems as asthma, pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Protein packed
Omega mussels and clams are also a good source of protein which is important for the body in repairing cells, building and repairing muscles and bones, providing energy and regulating important metabolic processes in the body.
Low fat
Mussels and clams are low in fat too which lessens the chance of heart disease.
Rich in haem iron
Greenlipped mussels have over 3x the haem iron of rump steak! Green Lipped mussels are found to contain 12mg per 100g of meat compared to the rump steak. Haem iron is iron from animal sources and is the most easily absorbed form of iron.
The most important function of iron in the body is to carry oxygen in the red blood cells to the muscles. Iron gives blood its characteristic red colour. Certain enzymes require iron, and iron is essential to produce energy.
Mineral & Vitamins
They are also a rich source of selenium, iron, Vitamin B12 and iodine, and a good source of magnesium and calcium. Five New Zealand Green Shell Mussels provide almost 100% of your daily iodine and selenium needs, 1/3 of daily protein needs and almost three times your daily Vitamin B12 needs.
Green Lipped Mussel Extract
As well as being a healthy food source, nutraceutical products derived from Green Shell Mussel powder and oil extracts are internationally distributed and recognised as helpful for joint mobility and promoting general wellbeing – Aquaculture NZ.
Great for joints
New Zealand mussels contain high amounts of in 'Muccopolysaccharides'. These complex carbohydrates provide essential structural components for the cell walls, mucous membranes and the connective tissues of bones, teeth, tendons and cartilage.
Littleneck Clams
New Zealand littleneck clams also benefit from a high concentration of nutrients in their tidal estuary habitat. They offer a good source of Omega 3 oils and Vitamin B12. They are also low
sugar free and a tasty offering of iron and protein.
You can find more information on New Zealand mussels and clams here. Seafood generally is very good for you being low in fat whilst high in protein and nutrients. Omega Seafood cooked Gourmet Mussels are no different!
Food Safety
To ensure the food safety of Omega Seafood Cooked Gourmet Mussels and Clams, always follow the storage and cooking instructions. Once the pouch is open, eat mussels and clams within 2-3 days and store in the refrigerator.
Pregnant women and people who are immune compromised should not eat Omega Seafood Cooked Gourmet Seafood. PHR Processing Ltd’s products are processed and packed in licensed factories to the highest ISO, HACCP and Food Safety Standards
. For more information or License numbers please contact: PHR Processing on +64 3 5791421