Australia’s meat producers are marking their mark in the United States wellness industry.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Program Manager Food Innovation John Marten said the local industry was celebrating a major commercialisation milestone with the successful launch of Australian bovine collagen products in the US.
Mr Marten said the move highlighted the benefits of innovation that aligned with market trends to create new value for the red meat industry.
He said the transformation of waste hides into high-demand collagen met the growing needs of wellness markets and offered a viable alternative to traditional leather industry applications.
“The breakthrough stems from a collaboration that began in 2019 between MLA and Freeze Dry Industries (FDI), culminating in the launch of the Organic Collagen Australia brand and its expansion into major retail channels in the United States.”
Mr Marten said FDI’s journey from a tech-focused start-up to a commercial brand with international reach was a great example of what was possible when industry and innovation came together.
“FDI’s relentless focus on freeze-drying efficiencies intersected with our research into hides not suitable for the leather market.
“The result is a new category of high-value consumer goods that benefits the entire red meat supply chain.”
