Imagine snacking on protein balls or sipping on a protein shake knowing that you’re getting all the goodness of meat without any worries about allergies. That’s the magic of CSIRO’s Just Meat protein powder. And the best part? You can give it a taste test at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton this week.
But it’s not just about tasty treats. This powder could shake up the whole beef industry, making it even more valuable. By using more of the animal, we’re not only reducing waste but also creating new opportunities to enjoy beef in different forms. Who knows, maybe soon we’ll see meaty energy drinks hitting the shelves!
Dr Aarti Tobin, animal protein lead for CSIRO’s Future Protein Mission, said the powder can be used as-is or as an ingredient in a wide range of products.
“The advantage of a meat-based protein is that it naturally contains all essential amino acids, as well as high iron, zinc and magnesium,” Dr Tobin said.
“It’s mild in flavour and highly soluble so we’ve easily added it to snacks like sweet protein balls in our product development kitchen, with promising results to take to product trials.
“We’re looking at new protein products to meet changing consumer preferences and which will play a big role in feeding a growing world population that’s set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.”
Developed with support from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the innovative product aims to bring the nutritional benefits of meat to places where refrigeration and transportation are tricky.
MLA’s Group Manager of Science and Innovation, Michael Lee, highlighted the versatility of the product, noting its ability to meet the increasing global demand for convenient and nutritious food.
He said that as the world’s population grows, there’s a greater need for options like this meat protein powder, which offers a shelf-stable, easy-to-transport, and adaptable source of protein.
Lee also pointed out the economic potential of the product, suggesting that by transforming meat into a versatile ingredient, it opens up new revenue streams beyond traditional meat trading.
“Products like this meat protein powder can help to cater to this demand by providing a shelf-stable, easily transportable and versatile source of protein,”
“By converting meat into essentially a food ingredient this also creates another revenue stream for the industry beyond our traditional meat trading options.” said Lee
Moving forward, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) will collaborate with commercial partners and investors to bring this protein powder innovation to market.
Interested parties can learn more about this development and other opportunities at events like Beef 2024 or CSIRO’s Protein Futures 2024 event in Sydney on May 28-29.
The nutritious new powder can be used as-is, or as an ingredient in a range of products such as protein balls, shakes and energy drinks with the potential to grow Australia’s $75.4 billion red meat industry,
