The Future of Food Technology

BY Usman February 6, 2023
Future of Food Technology

Future of Food Technology: Food tech is revolutionizing the food sector by employing the newest technology to control production, distribution, and consumption as firms turn to technology to combat inflation and boost efficiency.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the food sector contributes more than $1 trillion to the US GDP. There are several difficulties in such a big industry, such as food sustainability. The worldwide food industry is being transformed by food technology.

Food Technology

Any technology that enhances food production, distribution, and supply is referred to as food tech, and it has an impact on how people sell, produce, and distribute food.

The relationship between technology and food has existed since the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s and early 1800s, despite the fact that the term may seem recent. The standards for farming were established during this time, which also saw the advent of industrialized agriculture. Industry leaders and inventors collaborated during this time to improve food production and quality. The use of artificial fertilizer, the invention of pesticides, the advancement of electricity, and the beginning of horse-powered and later steam-powered equipment were all significant breakthroughs.

But with the growth of big data, AI, and the internet of things over the past few years, food technology has emerged as a separate industry (IoT). Food technology uses IoT at every stage to make the food sector more sustainable.

Challenges of food sustainability

According to a study by Nature Food, food systems are accountable for close to one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in the globe. Land use change, waste management, keeping animals, production, and packing all contribute to an increase in these emissions.

According to a survey by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the globe also throws away nearly a third of its food supply. The World Health Organization estimates that despite all of this food waste, over 828 million people still lack access to enough food.

Due to the energy required for food production and waste generation, farming, the food business, and people’s diets have an impact on the environment. The land is impacted by farming and is depleted of its nutrients. The world is dealing with a decrease in arable land for food production in addition to water problems.

Some of these problems are being tried to solve via food tech. Startups are using the most recent technology to address many aspects of the food chain in an effort to boost responsible production and consumption, eliminate hunger, and create jobs.

Impact of food tech

According to Emergen Research, the global market for food technology was valued at $220.32 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to reach $342.52 billion by 2027.

In order to feed the globe and slow the rate of hunger, food technology is expanding food production. Utilizing digital and cutting-edge technologies, agriculture is becoming more automated in order to generate food and raw resources. The following are some examples of how technology is used in food production:

  • Organisms with genetic modification. To make a plant resistant to disease and able to grow in unfavorable growing environments, GMOs are put into the genes of the plant. Large-scale crops including rice, wheat, and corn all use GMOs.
  • Drones. Satellite imagery can be provided by drones to track crop growth and address problem areas.
  • Tech in the meat sector. AI is useful in the production of poultry since it can identify health problems in birds by listening to their sounds. In chicken farms, AI robots can help with slaughtering or collecting eggs.
  • Crop observation. AI can identify pests and diseases in crops in addition to the use of drones. In order to stop significant losses, digital tools like AgroPestAlert, Farm Scout Pro, and IPM Toolkit can help identify pest infestations and change soil conditions.
  • Food printer in 3D. Food printers can produce food more quickly, including pizza, snacks, and candies. Using AI, one ingredient at a time, the layers and structure of the dish are designed. The possibility of recycling leftover ingredients could reduce waste.

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