P.PSH.1013-Development of high value structured cooked meat shreds and snacks using red meat and HMEC

Summary

ProForm Gourmet has previously completed the precursive MLA Donor Company project P.PSH.0673 Prototype commercial development of PHMC process technology for the production of value added red meat products. Project P.PSH0673 demonstrated the technical feasibility and economic viability of producing commercial volumes of red meat based products using the technology. A prototype plant was constructed as part of the project, to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of HMEC, but also to facilitate adoption of the technology by the red meat industry and promote the alternative use of value-added trim. ProForm Gourmet, who has licensed ProForm Foods’ Background IP, operates the plant. The prototype small scale HMEC plant (designed and built as part of project P.PSH.0673) continues to be utilised for development work and for optimising process yields.

Objectives

This project sought to provide a mechanism for providing the delivery of targeted value added product formats and an understanding of those markets utilising PHMC process technology through the following:

• Identify and understand target ‘Flexitarian’ market and potential usages and occasions for structured meat shreds and snacks with red meat inclusion.
• Develop proof of concepts and operational protocols.
• Develop optimum flavour profiles (pre-forming & post forming).
• Develop novel shredding, dicing and forming systems (Roller shredding, Curved, tangential angular cut, Spreader shredding)
• Develop coating systems
• Develop surface cooking systems
• Develop product chilling process
• Develop ‘flexitarian’ snack process and scale up concept products – validate desirable-viable- feasible criteria
• Collating lessons learned and cost benefit analysis (CBA).

Key findings

The business opportunity and strategic intent clearly must focus on the identification of products to satisfy application of PHMC processed meat products in a market where affordability is a key driver for purchase, the increasing cost of meat materials, specifically beef, cannot be passed on to the consumers. The PHMC processed meat products are considered as an option to leverage on product costs while maintaining product quality with a sustainable supply of raw materials are critical to increasing a company’s total sales and revenue. As a company committed to deliver quality products, we continue to explore healthy options and plans to develop a nutritious line of products with low fat, low calorie and/or high protein.

Benefits to industry

Ongoing identification of new production platforms that can potentially create new red meat products, suitable for the creation of new snacking and meal occasions.

MLA action

Final report to be published on the MLA R&D website.

Future research

Any future research will need to consider how to bridge the consumers knowledge gap, with respect to the introduction of new products being introduced into the market that have been manufactured using HMEC.