What a component looks like
2 year shelf life at ambient temperature, also able to withstand extreme conditions such as 50 Deg heat and high humidity, component will undergo heat and shelf stability trials.
Nutritional fortification to be part of future product design including further development as health and nutrition product.
Using high percentage Australian ingredients as possible.
Packaging and food production to conform to FSANZ and HACCP standards with verification through testing.
Component validation through nutrient testing and flavor testing. Packaging durability to survive Defence rigor and validated via testing.
Halal certification is advantageous as well as vegetarian certification.
Export and domestic commercial markets
Providing food security to region as ‘food bowl’ of Asia Pacific.
Leveraging Australia’s strategic strengths for regional security.
Building in a strategically flexible secondary supply chain.
Support allies under the Defence Cooperation Program.
Access export markets to provide increased production capability, contingency and continuity for applicable products.
Exporting commercial brand to help drive Defence export acceptance.
Australia is a trusted supplier in the health and wellness category where Defence Nutrition will look to move commercial range.
How does the Commonwealth view supply.
Trends in food consumption are towards functional and fortified foods and can be adapted for future development.
The Commonwealth will give interest in products utilise Indigenous ingredients or involvement and also show interest in products that support the circular economy or reduce waste as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is under the broader need for sovereign supply and efficient use of resources.
References to 'Value for Money': Commonwealth Procurement Rules state that purchase price is not the sole factor, but must also consider other costs and non-financial costs/benefits, including economic benefits such as:
Using local businesses and SME's in delivering good and services
Sharing knowledge, skills and technology with local businesses and SME's
Supporting the development and sustainment of industry capabilities
Employing workers in Australia
Contributing to positive social outcomes in Australian communities, such as engaging unemployed people
Using Indigenous businesses
Providing skills and training that benefit Australian communities creating export opportunities for Australian goods and services.
What problems can long life shelf stable food solve
Access to quality nutrition is an issue in regional communities.
An improvement in long life, shelf stable food will increase access to nutrition and contribute towards improved health outcomes.
A reduction in energy intensive cold chain logistics to supply foods.
Regional and remote industries are often outdoors, requiring unique food solutions including durability and ambient storage foods.
As a subset of regional and remote communities, Indigenous communities require access to healthy nutrition that is not ultra-processed, high salt foods.
Inclusion of indigenous ingredients will assist in culturally appropriate foods and provide economic benefit in ingredient production.
Floods, fires and other natural disasters isolate regional and remote communities from fresh food options.
Emergency personnel ‘on the job’ also require unique food solutions.
Defence Nutrition components will form part of existing options to create viable, long life, shelf stable sovereign food supplies.