Recommendations to improve the UK diet suggest an increase in the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P:S ratio) and a higher consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Ruminant meats have a poor P:S ratio, approximately 0.1 compared to the recommendation of 0.4-1.0 for the whole diet. However, the ratio of C18:2 n-6/C18:3 n-3 (the n-6:n-3) is well within the recommended value of <4.0 at approximately 2 and ruminant muscle also supplies longer-chain n-3 PUFA. By feeding lipid in a formaldehyde cross-linked protein matrix, rumen biohydrogenation can be avoided and the tissue PUFA level increased but with potential effects on oxidative shelf-life, colour and flavour of the meat. This trial investigated the fatty acid composition and quality of meat produced by feeding a protected lipid supplement (PLS).