Sustainable production of functional and safe feed from food waste (NOSHAN)

Through what processes and technologies can food waste and by-products of food processing be used as a raw material for animal feed? Which of those products fit nutritionally and function best for which species? The food processing companies in Europe produce large quantities of by-products and residual products. Such waste streams are either valorized only in limited way and/or have low added value. The most important part is considered as waste and is thus a burden to the environment. The goal of this project is to reduce the negative impact on the overall sustainability of the food processing industry by developing valorization strategies for the feed sector. The requirements are low cost and low power consumption.

We focus on residues in the fruit, vegetable and dairy production industry sectors. We evaluate several advanced technologies for conditioning and stabilizing the secondary flows through physico-chemical and biological processes. We examine to what extent these strategies (specifically for animal feed) can be realized at low cost, low power consumption and with maximum valorisation. We investigate the safety and quality issues and the nutritional value and functionality according to animal needs. We validate the developed components and feed by means of in vitro and in vivo tests.

We aim for new functional feeds based on commodities destined for human consumption. This is beneficial for the animal feed production that can attract more raw materials. The study also responds to the social demand for the food waste to counter. The practice to use by-products and food waste streams only in composting or spreading on land can evolve into a system where end products with a high (er) value creation are developed, particularly in the production of functional feed.

Funding provider(s)
European Union - FP7 - Cooperation