New technologies in the food industry
As businesses turn to technology to combat inflation and improve efficiency, food technology is transforming the food industry by using the latest technology to manage production, distribution, and consumption. With an industry this large, there are several challenges, including food sustainability. Food technology is leading the way in transforming the global food sector.
What is food technology?
Food technology is any technology that improves the production, distribution, and supply of food and affects how people sell, produce, and distribute food. Although the term may seem new, technology and food have been intertwined since the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This period led to the rise of industrial agriculture and set standards for agriculture.
During this time, industry leaders and inventors worked together to help increase the production and quality of food. Major advances included the use of synthetic fertilizers, the creation of pesticides, the development of electric power, and the introduction of steam-powered machinery.
But in the last few years, food technology has become its own sector with the rise of big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This technology is helping the food industry become more sustainable by leveraging the Internet of Things at all stages.
Food sustainability challenges
Food systems are responsible for nearly a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the study. These emissions continue to rise due to land use change, waste management, livestock farming, production and packaging.
On the other hand, the world also wastes about a third of its food. Food technology is any technology that improves the production, distribution, and supply of food and affects the way people sell, produce, and distribute food.
Agriculture, the food industry and people’s diets impact the environment with the energy used to produce food and the waste it produces. Agriculture impacts the land and depletes it of nutrients. Along with water scarcity, the world is facing a decline in arable land for food production.
Food technology seeks to address some of these issues. Startups are taking the latest technologies and applying them at different points in the food cycle to create jobs, reduce hunger, and promote responsible production and consumption.
The impact of food technology
Food and feed technology is increasing food production to help reduce world hunger and malnutrition. Agriculture is being automated by using digital and advanced technology to produce food and raw materials with smart farming. Some of the applications of food technology include:
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are inserted into plant genes to help them resist disease and grow in areas that are not suitable for production. GMOs are used in major crops such as rice, wheat, and corn.
Drones can provide satellite imagery to monitor crop growth and tackle problem areas. AI technology is effective in poultry production, where it helps detect health problems in birds through the sounds they make.