Geoff Ball has been appointed Business Manager by the BARLEYmax™ joint venture between CSIRO Plant Industry, Food Science Australia, CSIRO Human Nutrition and the Canberra-based Australian Capital Venture Limited.

BARLEYmax™ is a new barley developed by CSIRO using conventional breeding technology that has a unique composition giving it enhanced nutritional properties associated with positive health impacts.

‘CSIRO identified the genetic basis of barley’s nutritional properties with the goal of developing a barley variety with significantly improved nutritional properties,’ Mr Ball says.

‘BARLEYmax™ has a low GI and results from clinical studies show it has a favourable effect on bowel health.

 ‘Because BARLEYmax™ is high in resistant starch, it may help to reduce risk of colorectal disorders including cancer as well as aid in managing diseases such as diabetes and obesity.’

Barley’s reputation for reducing cholesterol has been backed by the United States Food and Drug Administration recently approving a claim for whole barley and reduced risk of heart disease.

Mr Ball says BARLEYmax™ can be used in a wide range of foods, from baked goods to drinks, and has a pleasant nutty taste.

‘Consumers are looking for new foods that will have a positive impact on their health and BARLEYmax offers a real opportunity to meet that need through a range of foods.’

Mr Ball has wide experience in the marketing of ingredients to the food manufacturing industry. 

After technical and product development positions in the dairy industry he joined Goodman Fielder Ingredients with their gelatin, starch and food texture systems companies. 

He has worked in Europe, North America and Australasia in technical and general management capacities. 

Most recently he has been involved in business development with Food Science Australia and consulted in the food safety area with the National Center for Food Safety and Technology in Chicago.

Australian Capital Venture Limited is manager of the Business Development Fund, which is a joint venture between the ACT Government and Hindmarsh – a diverse Canberra-based property, construction and investment organisation.

Read more media releases in our Media