Aussie National Science Agency Turns Red Meat Into Powder

New York strip offers the perfect balance of tenderness and fat. (Burcu Atalay Tankut/Moment/Getty Images)

Australia’s national science agency is converting red meat cuts into protein powers in a bid to target the multi-billion health and wellness industry.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) explains the new “highly nutritious powder” provides an allergen-free protein boost to snacks and beverages.

According to the organisation, this powder can be used in a wide range of products from protein balls to shakes and energy drinks.

Taste testing of the new product is taking place at Beef 2024, an event taking place from May 5 to 11 in Rockhampton, Queensland.

CSIRO is targeting a $3.8 billion (US$2.5 billion) market in the health and wellness industry with this new product.

Feeding the 9.7 billion World Population by 2050

CSIRO animal protein lead, Aarti Tobin, said the powder could be used as an ingredient in a broad range of products.

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“The advantage of a meat-based protein is that it naturally contains all essential amino acids, as well as high iron, zinc, and magnesium,” Mr. 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.”

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a report (pdf) regarding future food shortages. It said that the breakdowns in the global supply chain—starting during the pandemic and continuing today due to conflict, such as the one in Ukraine—have wreaked havoc on our food supply.

Ukraine was estimated to have “the highest number of food insecure people in the region in 2023, due to disruptions in agricultural production and reduced economic activity associated with the ongoing conflict,” the report said.

Transport to Remote Locations

Highlighting the product’s advantages, CSIRO noted that protein powder supports food security by delivering meat’s nutritional benefits to remote locations.

Further, it suggests it can be used in disaster relief by overcoming refrigeration and transportation hurdles.

CSIRO is working with commercial partners and investors to take the protein powder innovation to market. For example, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is an investor and partner working with CSIRO to deliver the product.

MLA group manager Michael Lee believes the product will be able to capitalise on market demand for red meat around the world.

“There is a growing global demand for convenient and nutritious food as the world’s population increases,” Mr. Lee said.

He added that meat protein powder can help “cater to this demand” by providing a shelf-stable, simple-to-transport, 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,” he said.

CSIRO will be holding a Protein Futures 2024 event in Sydney on May 28 and 29 that will look into global demand for high-quality protein.

“The global population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, fuelling the demand for protein,” CSIRO said.

“The increasing global demand for high-quality protein opens up new growth opportunities for Australia’s agrifood industry.”