Australian research: feed fish food to pigs
Australian scientists have found a way to reduce the
amount of fat in pork by feeding fish meal to pigs.
This, they claim, wil lead to produced pork which is
rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which should prevent the prevalence of heart
These acids are known to break down triglycerides and
reduce fat levels in the blood.
University of South Australia researcher Alison Coates said
people could now benefit from eating enriched pork instead.
was set up with Bartlett Grain and Australian Pork.
participants were fed five 200 g serves of the omega-3-rich pork each week for a
couple of weeks, with the results showing a decrease in triglyceride, or DHA
"There was an increase in the incorporation of good fats into
cell membranes, and what that did was reduce the bad fats in circulation, which
reduces the risk of heart disease," Dr Coates said.
Dr Coates said concerns that the pork or
other omega-3-enriched foods would smell like fish were unfounded. "We did
multiple evaluations of this and there was no different in the sensory
perceptions," she said.
Several piggeries across Australia are
beginning to use the odour-free feed and it has also been made available to
However, it appears unlikely the process can be
replicated in cows or sheep, because ruminants have different digestive
â€¢ University of South Australia
â€¢ Australian Pork
â€¢ Bartlett Grain
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