Top 21st Century Food Safety and Technology Trends to Watch

Food technology trends are ever-changing, with each new year bringing innovations and breakthroughs.

FREMONT, CA: New food technology developments have altered the food and beverage manufacturing industry and allied enterprises, resulting in beneficial changes and benefits across the board. However, these tendencies are not exclusively technical.

Everything from packaging techniques to materials to facility equipment is part of the innovation that the food and beverage industry can expect to see over the next year.

Here are some fascinating developments to keep an eye out for:

PACKAGING THAT IS FREE OF PLASTIC AND SMART: For decades, many food manufacturers have packaged their products in some plastic, as it has traditionally been the cheapest and most convenient option. However, consumer perceptions are altering in light of recent breakthroughs in the fight against climate change, and they are turning to manufacturers to make some green improvements.

Occasionally, businesses have resorted to edible and biodegradable packaging. The edible packaging is made from food-grade polymers such as seaweed that are entirely safe to consume.

Biodegradable packaging is made of plastic generated from polymers that degrade in the presence of living creatures. Even if consumers do not consume the edible packaging, it will naturally degrade over time without causing harm to the environment.

Innovative packaging, a subset of “nano-packaging,” uses nanotechnology to detect physical or chemical changes in meals caused by microbes. The packaging’s nanotechnology can assist in determining the food item’s safety and quality, as well as its proximity to spoilage.

COMPUTERIZED ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Continuous improvements in computerized food processing technology have established automation and autonomous equipment as vital components of the food production and processing industries. As demand and costs continue to rise, automation is assisting in reducing manufacturing time while increasing productivity.

The robotic butchery machine is one automated piece of machinery gaining popularity due to its speed-up process. Additionally, these automated equipments contribute to the facility’s safety by lowering the impact on workers of handling potentially hazardous tools and machinery.

MODERNIZATION OF ANCIENT PROCESSING METHODS: The food business is experiencing a revival of time-honored processing processes with current technology and other enhancements. Fermentation is one technique that has experienced a vital renaissance in recent years, owing to the increasing popularity of fermented foods and beverages.

The first and most ancient fermentation method entailed combining rotting fruit with wild rice and saliva in bowls and allowing them to ferment in tiny quantities.

Now, technology has made large-batch fermentation even safer and more manageable, with precision temperature controls, improved analysis tools, and other equipment enabling these products’ safe production.