Page 22 - Food&Drink Magazine October 2021

DAIRY BUSINESS
Milk without the moo
A start-up formed by Australia’s largest dairy co-op, the venture fund of the nation’s scientific research body and a seasoned FMCG specialist, says it has developed the technology to create animal-free dairy. Kim Berry writes.
ABOVE: Eden Brew milk is made using precision fermentation rather than the traditional four-legged bovine.
FOOD tech start-up Eden Brew says it has pioneered a way of creating dairy milk using precision fermentation rather than the traditional four-legged bovine supplier.
Precision fermentation is regarded as the third technological pillar of the alternative protein sector.
Using science from CSIRO, Eden Brew has found a way to produce the same proteins found in cow’s milk. Most of the protein in cow’s milk forms into tiny cages called micelles. These cages are loaded with calcium designed to deliver nutrients as well as giving milk its unique characteristics, including its white colour.
Eden Brew has pioneered a way of creating casein micelles without the cow. Essentially, precision fermentation has enabled the team to ‘brew’ milk.
“The result will be animal- free dairy with a frothing, creamy, milky taste,” the start-up says. “All of the good stuff, without the cow. No lactose, no cholesterol and low allergenicity.”
CO-FOUNDER CLOUT
Eden Brew was formed under CSIRO’s deep tech venture fund Main Sequence’s venture science model, which starts by identifying a global challenge, and brings together science and industry to solve it.
The company is backed by
$4 million in funding, technology and industry expertise from Main Sequence, Norco, and CSIRO.
Main Sequence partner and Eden Brew co-founder Phil Morle says Eden Brew has been designed to succeed.
“Our planet will be faced with challenges around producing enough food to feed the growing
world population. We have an opportunity with Eden Brew to pioneer a new food category and create a product that serves today’s consumer hunger and need for more options.
“Eden Brew’s technology delivers an authentic animal- free dairy product and with CSIRO and Norco’s support, we’ll soon be ready to take the Australian dairy industry to the next level.
“Protein alternatives are gaining global traction with consumers, the industry, and producers taking notice of the environmental and health benefits they present. With a record-setting US$3.1 billion invested in alternative proteins in 2020, we see significant market potential for Eden Brew,” Morle says.
Australia’s largest dairy cooperative Norco has backed Eden Brew, with CEO Michael Hampson one of the co- founders. Hampson says the coop’s involvement was about being at the forefront of innovation and food science, building scientific expertise and building a secure and sustainable future for its 292 dairy farmer members.
“Norco has been producing award-winning dairy products for 126 years. Our involvement in Eden Brew as a co-founder provides us with the opportunity to access new, cutting edge technology, educate and engage our people around new ways of looking at dairy and protein development, and developing alternative revenue streams for our farmer members so that Norco can continue to provide value to its members for another 126 years,” Hampson says.
Norco farmers are shareholders of Eden Brew, so
22 | Food&Drink business | October 2021 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au