According to Daniel Carson, founder of Mīti, consumers globally have moved beyond simple protein counts, demanding in-depth information on nutrient density, bioavailability, and whole-food nutrition.
Mīti responds directly to that shift by using pasture-raised young beef combined with natural ingredients to deliver iron, B12, amino acids, and energy in forms the body actually uses, without isolates or ultra-processing.
“It’s a response to a clear trend: people want food that works harder for their health, while still aligning with sustainability, provenance, and trust,” said Carson.
At Gulfood 2026, Carson has aimed to showcase Mīti as a nutrient-dense wellness platform, not just a meat snack. He mentioned that it was the right platform because it sat at the intersection of global scale, emerging markets, and institutional food systems.
Many of the regions represented at Gulfood have been grappling with the same paradox: rising obesity alongside persistent micronutrient deficiency. Red meat is uniquely positioned to help address that, but only if it’s delivered in formats that fit modern lifestyles and wellness frameworks.
Carson said that the most significant opportunity would be the emergence of wellness-led meat as a distinct category.
Governments, health systems, and consumers have increasingly focused on nutrient outcomes rather than just calories or macros, creating space for meat, particularly young beef, to be positioned as a functional food that supports cognition, energy, and muscle health.
At the same time, the challenge was that this required new value chains, not just new products. It meant rethinking animal sourcing, combining ingredients, and how nutrition can be measured and communicated.
“That’s harder than incremental innovation, but it’s where the real long-term value sits.”
He also hoped visitors would learn that red meat doesn’t need defending; it needs reframing, and that when used thoughtfully, it can be one of the most effective whole-food nutrition tools.
Carson highlighted that Australasia is uniquely positioned to lead in this space, combining trusted farming systems with the ability to create scalable, natural, nutrient-dense foods.
Being selected into the MLA Gulfood Innovation Challenge has reinforced that momentum, and he looked forward to representing New Zealand on a global stage.
