General document | The Centre for Food Innovation - Research Areas and Potential Projects

Abstract 

DSTO, CSIRO and UTAS are undertaking collborative research in food science and technology through UTAS's Centre for Food Innovation (CFI). Suitable research areas and possible projects of relevance to Defence and the wider Tasmanian agri-food industry are identified and presented for possible inclusion into a CFI research portfolio. We arrived at this portfolio after consideration of government policy documents, the current Tasmanian agri-food industry, growth forecasts for the export and tourism markets, and a specialist understanding of Defence feeding needs and requirements. This document provides a snapshot of possible directions for CFI research, taken from a Defence perspective. It provides a starting point for establishing a suitable CFI research portfolio, which will evolve as the CFI takes shape.

Executive Summary

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has entered into a collaborative research agreement, with The University of Tasmania (UTAS) and CSIRO, to work on areas of mutual interest in food science and technology within the recently formed Centre for Food Innovation (CFI). In addition to the three key research partners, the CFI has a broad stakeholder community, including federal, state and local governments and the Tasmanian agri-food industry. It is likely that the collaborative partners and stakeholder community will have different perspectives and priorities regarding the work to be undertaken within the CFI.

This document presents potential research areas and projects of relevance to Defence and the wider Tasmanian agri-food industry, which could be considered for inclusion in the CFI research portfolio. We arrived at this portfolio after consideration of government policy documents, the current Tasmanian agri-food industry, growth forecasts for the export and tourism markets, and a specialist understanding of Defence feeding needs and requirements. Possible research areas identified for the CFI include:

• dairy products,
• long-shelf-life foods such as meals, bars and snacks,
• fresh-like foods produced from vegetables, fruit, seafood and meat,
• research to support the differentiation of Tasmanian grown foods,
• development of speciality crops and novel ingredients,
• technologies for instantising foods, and
• low GI foods.

Some initial projects to be considered for the CFI are also identified.

This document provides a snapshot of possible directions for CFI research, taken from a Defence perspective. It provides a starting point for establishing a suitable CFI research portfolio, which will evolve as the CFI takes shape. It is envisaged that the CFI collaboration will include the prototyping of novel foods designed specifically for Defence needs. Successful products can then be considered for Defence feeding, extending the range of palatable, nutritious, appropriate foods available to Defence.