Nutritious RTE Fish Spread was developed using popular fish variety Bombay duck (commonly known as "Bombil" in Maharashtra). This fish-based spread can be healthy alternative to fat and oil-based breakfast spreads. It can be used with breads and chapati. The product is shelf stable for 60 days at chilled condition after radiation treatment (5 kGy) with acceptable microbiological and sensory qualities. Whereas, untreated sample remains acceptable up to 8 days at chilled storage.

1. Convenient food: Easy to prepare and store.
2. No added chemical preservatives/additives.
3. Rich source of healthy nutrients, proteins, poly un-saturated fatty acids (ω-3) like Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) & Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
4. Sugar free with less calories: suitable as "diet" food.
5. Suitable for domestic markets as well as export.

1. Convenience food- can serve as healthy breakfast spread.
2. Promising product for marketing: Fish-based spreads not available in markets.
3. Potential "diet" food: less calories, no sugars and high protein contents.
4. Useful for other target groups like malnourished population, health-conscious, diet conscious, obese, diabetics, mid-day meal program etc.

The current technology deals with the development of a nutritious, ready to eat (RTE) fish spread conceptualized based on different breakfast spreads manufactured using fat/oil, protein from vegetable, eggs and animal sources. Nutritious, RTE Fish Spread was developed using popular fish variety Bombay duck (commonly known as "Bombil" in Maharashtra). This fish-based spread can be a healthy alternative to fat and oil-based breakfast spreads. The shelf life of developed fish spread is 8 days at chilled storage (4 °C) which can be extended to 2 months by radiation processing (5 kGy). This product is well suited to modern consumers who are diet conscious or suffering with life-style diseases and can be included in the diets of hospital patients, school children meals and canteens.

1. Convenient, hygienic and nutritionally adequate.
2. Low in saturated fat and salt content with no sugar content.
3. High in PUFAs and protein.
4. Export quality product.
5. Shelf life up to 60 days on irradiation at refrigerated temperature.

1. Convenient RTE food in today's lifestyle.
2. Suitable for all kinds of consumers with different age groups and specialized requirement groups like health conscious, patients with life-style diseases.
3. It can be included in school lunch program, hospital meals and canteens etc.

a. Raw Materials

1. The raw materials (Fresh Bombay duck fish, green condiments like onion, ginger, garlic, chilies, coriander, oil and salt) required for preparation of RTE fish spreads.

b. Equipments

1. Steamer/Pressure cooker.
2. Cooking utensils.
3. Homogenizer/ Blender.
4. Packaging machines/sealers.
5. Gamma irradiation facility.
6. Cold room/refrigerated storage facility (ware house).

c. Space

1. A room of 450 sq. ft. area (30 ft. x 15 ft.) with chilled water supply, processing area, kitchen equipments, packaging instruments and refrigerated storage.

d. Power

1. Both single & three phase power connection.

e. Manpower

1. One skilled supervisor, one skilled worker and two un-skilled workers would be adequate for production of 100 kg per day. Actual manpower would depend on production capacity.