CSIRO looks to commercialise new powdered beef product, Just Meat

CSIRO has unveiled a new Just Meat protein powder — made out of red meat and described as giving an “allergen-free protein boost to snacks and beverages” — at the Beef2024 expo in Rockhampton this week.

According to a statement from the nation’s scientific agency on Wednesday, Just Meat has applications “that have mostly remained elusive” to the meat industry. They state that it could appeal to a wide audience through products including “protein balls and shakes to energy drinks”.

The product’s nutritional and allergy-free nature were benefits, said CSIRO, as were its transportability and shelf stability. The powder could used as an ingredient or consumed as-is.

“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,” explained Dr Aarti Tobin, animal protein lead for CSIRO’s Future Protein Mission.

“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.” 

CSIRO said Just Meat offered the potential to add value to the nation’s $75.4 billion red meat industry by using more of an animal carcass.

Elsewhere it is described as based on a novel manufacturing process developed at CSIRO, creating the opportunity to convert “low value meat products into high protein powders of different grades and to meet different needs.”

“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,” added Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Group Manager Science and Innovation, Michael Lee.  

MLA is an investor and collaborator in the development of the product, which CSIRO said it will commercialise with its partners and investors.  

“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.

Beef2024, also known as Beef Australia, is held at the Rockhampton Showgrounds and runs May 5 to May 11. 

According to its organisers, the event – which has run since 1988 – attracts over 100,000 from across Australia and around the world and “exists for the advancement of the Australian beef community”. 

Picture: CSIRO CEO Dr Doug Hilton and Tobin with protein balls containing Just Meat (supplied)