Reducing Food Wastage through Automation in Food Manufacturing

Food loss and waste occur through improper process management and long-term storage. Automating operations minimizes human error and effectively tracks products in the manufacturing process to reduce food wastage.

FREMONT, CA: According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of edible food are wasted each year. Post-harvest, transport, storage, distribution, processing, and packaging also contribute to food waste, and food manufacturers are responsible for reducing waste.

A lack of proper process management and long-term storage were some of the direct causes of food loss and waste reported by the FAO.

Automation in food manufacturing minimizes food wastage by reducing errors and streamlining resource expenditure.

Reducing human error: According to studies, the number of food wastes caused by human error was 10.9 percent. Automating manual work that is less engaging and more likely to cause errors can help reduce human error. Installation of plant management software can streamline processes by automatically collecting data, eliminating the need for whiteboards and clipboards.

In many cases, there wasn't adequate workplace training or standardization of work. This led to more food waste because there was a greater tendency toward errors.

Automating production can help standardize production while maintaining proper training. Standardizing processes like quality control and temperature checks with IoT sensors can make them more efficient and ensure every product is inspected similarly.

Traceability: According to FAO estimates, approximately 13.8 percent of the food produced globally is lost between farm and retail. Automated tracking systems are useful for reducing supply and product losses through automated food tracking.

Automation reduces human error, which can affect supply chain management, by eliminating manual inputs. A tracking system can also collect data to help supply chain managers identify inefficiencies and unnecessary expenditures.

Maintenance and downtime: Manufacturers are hesitant to automate their food processing equipment due to the higher level of maintenance needed and the risk of equipment downtime that could result in food wastage.

USDA recommends discarding perishable foods, such as meat and milk, if held above five degrees centigrade for more than two hours. Equipment failures can cause manufacturers unplanned downtime, leading to food spoilage.

Many manufacturers are hesitant to embrace automation in the food industry, but the fact is that change is inevitable. The use of automation technology can advance the industry while reducing food waste. The food industry should consider automating its processes to limit food waste if they have not done so already.