UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IN FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

1.The Food Processing sector has lagged behind other sectors of industries in adopting
computer technologies.

2.But recent advances in computer technology and responsibility towards consumers

and regulatory agencies for improved food quality and safety have forced the food
sector to consider automation of most manufacturing processes.

3.The food processing sector presents many unique challenges to complete

automation and with the help of computers in terms of both hard-ware(s) and
software(s), the food sector has been successful in putting many automatic processes
in place.
CORE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY :
1. Food tech covers all technological applications in the food industry.
2. Innovations in robotics, data technology and processing techniques create new application possibilities in food
production.
3. As a result, more and more technology is involved in both primary production and food processing.
HURDLES FOR 3D PRINTING, NANO- AND CELL TECHNOLOGY:
4. Compared to the above core technologies, the application of nanotechnology, 3D printing and cell technology is
still at an earlier stage.
5. Before these technologies can or will be applied more widely, barriers in the area of regulation, consumer
acceptance and/or industrial-scale applicability must be removed.
FOOD INDUSTRY ALSO BOOSTS AGRITECH :
6. This study focuses on the use of technology within the food industry.
7. Food industry companies are also closely involved in developing agritech applications in agriculture and
fisheries.
8. The importance of a high-quality and predictable supply of raw materials plays a central role in this regard.
9. However, such agritech applications have been largely disregarded in this study due to its focus.
FOOD INDUSTRY INVESTS IN AUTOMATION AND DIGITALIZATION :

1. Further automation, digitalization and new technologies enable the food industry to improve efficiency.

2. As a result, the number of machines and availability of hardware and software per employee increase.

INVESTMENT POTENTIAL IS HIGH:

In future, several factors will stimulate further growth of tech investments.

1. New application areas of technology Innovations increase the applicability of technology in the food industry.

2. Improved affordability Reducing the cost of technology and improving specifications.

3. The demand for more and higher quality products Food demand is rising and the market requires higher and more

consistent product quality.

4. Reduced availability of staff and higher costs Wage costs are rising and the availability of technical personnel is

under pressure.
WHAT DO THE INTERVIEWED EXPERTS SAY ABOUT THE
USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN PRODUCTION?

“No product is touched by a human hand in the

production line any more.”
“Without highly trained operators, it is no longer
possible to run this factory.”
HURDLES TO ROBOTISATION IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN OVERCOME:

1. Robots symbolise the further automation of production processes.

2. Robotics is on the rise in the food industry.

3. Technological advances, such as image recognition and gripper technology, have

overcome hurdles, making robots increasingly capable of:

1. handling delicate and diverse products;

2. complying with strict food safety requirements; and

3. functioning in a challenging working environment (heat, moisture, cold).

BENEFITS IN TERMS OF COSTS, LABOUR AND FOOD
SAFETY :
1. A major driving force behind the increasing use of
robots is the combination of rising labor costs and staff
shortages.
2. Robotization increases companies’ efficiency and
reduces their dependence on the labor factor.
3. In addition, food safety requirements are becoming
increasingly stringent and less human interference in
the production process can reduce the risk of
contamination.
Food might be the most essential in our life, and it directly makes an influence on the environment and also on
society.
To prevent unexpected fluctuations in the supply of resources, various type of technologies are used in
companies in the food industry.
It not only benefits the producers but the consumers, we, can also profit from these technologies.
Ferrero, producer Nutella, are using the Food Computer developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) which tells the plant’s needs and controls the environment in a lab for it to grow as healthy plants for
the products.
Through this technology, producers can grow the ingredients without excessive efforts and also be able to find
adequate regions to grow the most nutrient ingredients.
Even though it does not directly affect the procedures of making a complete product, it surely shortens the
time and reduces the cost in fundamental aspects, and these saved resources can be used to in progress of
making better products.
For consumer aspect, a company Apeel Sciences created Edipeel which
is an edible coating on fruits and vegetables that made of leftover grape
pulp from the winemaking process.
This coating can make the fruits to be fresh 3 times longer, which
allows consumers to have fresh fruits as long as they put it on the table.
This technology can also allow producers to ship by ship which was
unavailable due to limited preservability, making it cheaper to
consumers.
Printed pizza
A new generation of food printers might make its way to our kitchens
faster than expected. The Foodini, developed by Spanish company
Natural Machines, already allows restaurants and bakeries to create
complex desserts and garnishes. The 4,000 dollar price tag is still a bit
high, but that can change quickly. This pizza printer was developed at
NASA's request to have something tasty to offer astronauts on their way
to Mars.
 
Closer to home, food printers are beginning to make an appearance as
well. Recently, star chef Roger van Damme purchased a Kasko 3D printer
to manufacture unprecedented desserts.
 
REFERENCES:

https://www.ingwb.com/media/2917160/food-tech-report_april-2019.pdf

https://sites.psu.edu/ist110pursel/2018/11/18/information-technology-applications-in-food-industry/

https://www.retaildetail.eu/en/news/food/how-technology-changing-food-industry