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CSIRO, Fresh Select to turn vegetables losses into high-nutrient gains

Leading Ausfralian vegetable grower Fresh Select and CSIRO have launched a new food-manufacturing firm, Nutri V, which will use CSIRO technology to turn surplus vegies into ingredients, products and supplements that lock in vegetables’ natural flavours and colours.

Nutri V, formed by Fresh Select and the national science agency, is looking to develop nutrient-rich, high-value food products from what might otherwise be wasted vegetables to help consumers get healthier, sustainably.

Right now, the new food manufacturing company is gearing up to commercialise CSIRO-patented technologies that transform surplus locally-grown vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower into health-promoting ingredients, nutraceutical products and dietary supplements.

These upcycled food products will utilise CSIRO’s technology to seal in the natural colours and flavours of the produce from which they’re derived.

The resulting products will also have ‘enhanced nutritional content’, claims CSIRO, thanks to its microencapsulation of healthy oils and gut-health fermentation applications.

With few Australians getting the recommended five serves of veg a day, food waste costing the nation’s economy $20 billion annually, and around 20 per cent of all vegies grown in Australia wasted before they reach retailers’ shelves, it’s a joint venture whose time has come,

Fresh Select and Nutri V CEO John Said, Credit: Fresh Select

Healthier consumers, less food waste

According to Nutri V and Fresh Select CEO John Said, Nutri V’s initial range of value-added vegetable-based ingredients will include nutrient-rich powders and purees for use in healthy foods, beverages and supplements.

“We’ll be able to minimise wastage by using the entire crop to make powder – ‘ugly veg’, stems and leaves as well – not just the retail-fit parts,” Said told CSIRO.

“In the years to come, our planet needs to produce more with the same resources and we see Nutri V as part of that solution.”

“We’ve been collaborating with the CSIRO for more than two decades and this latest venture is a tremendous breakthrough with numerous benefits for people and the planet.”

CSIRO scientist Dr Pablo Juliano said Nutri V was using food science to support better health, sustainably.

“We’ve been able to apply our expertise in creating nutrient dense foods with innovative techniques to tackle the challenge of converting what might otherwise be lower value crops into foods with enhanced nutritional profile,” Dr Juliano said.

“This is next-step innovation in plant-based ingredient and product technology.”

The first Nutri V products will be available in coming months.

More information

To learn more about Nutri V’s new, nutritious upcycled ingredients or to join the growing team, visit the Nutri V website.

Source: A spoonful of powder helps the vegetables go down I CSIRO