When we think about food, we often think of the old ways how they were prepared. Typically, food preparation starts from manual farming to manual packing until food supplies reach retail stores. Yet the growing population causes an increased demand for food. The high demand requires the food industry to work double time.
Tech innovations helped in producing more food in a shorter period without compromising food quality. Meaning, technology has already begun to transform the food industry. But how exactly is that happening?
What Causes Food Industry Revolution
Our environment keeps on changing, and so does our demand for what food we want to eat. The progressive digital opportunities and environmentally-friendly solutions are helping in changing food production. These things are what gears people to make revolutionary changes in making food supplies.
Need for Safe and Healthy Food
While food production is moving fast, not all foods are healthy and safe to eat. Quality is still a critical component that manufacturers should consider. Food safety is the reason why there are many food regulations to follow.
Climate Change
It’s known to many that Earth’s health is deteriorating. While this is primarily due to pollution, the growing demand for plant-based foods is also to blame. The only way to sustain this kind of living is by creating transparency. Of course, the help of the digital revolution in the food industry is a huge factor to consider.
Reducing Plastics
Most countries have joined the global movement to reduce the use of plastics. Some nations also imposed a total ban on using plastic straws, spoons, forks, and plates. The F&B industry should also make significant changes in its packaging. They can do this by providing better solutions for packaging systems. Old methods might have worked for several years in the past, but it’s time for digital help to swoop in.
Solid Competition
The food and beverage industry contains thousands of food manufacturers and retailers. These companies are competing to be the best of the best. Furthermore, famous food manufacturers target their consumers with the help of innovative products. These products meet the trendiest demands, keeping people hooked on buying them.
The Advantages of Digital Food Production
Business owners might not realize it, but transforming to digital solutions is beneficial. Over the years, more food companies are changing to digital systems because of their advantages.
Accurate Supply
Accurate supply plays a crucial role in food processing. It helps in keeping the cash flow in order and reduces the risk of business failure. For instance, the use of air actuators allows manufacturers to operate speedily and meet the demands of consumers on time.
Lower Risk of Equipment Damage
Devices such as smart sensors are a huge help for the food and beverage industry. These devices help determine if machines need repair services, which extends the machine’s life span. Smart sensors also help keep the temperature at the best levels for proper food storage, keeping them fresh after production.
Better Customer Service
The longer you are in the industry, the more consumers you have. And as years go by, the number of your consumers will continue growing. Because of this, you might need to invest in good customer service to acknowledge what your target audience wants.
Food technology helps companies understand consumers better. Hence, allowing them to provide more than what they expect.
Safer Environment for Workers
Manufacturers should also consider the safety of their workers. With the help of technology, workers can perform their tasks better in a safer environment.
The Use of Technology
So what are these innovations that we’re talking about? Here are some examples for your reference:
- Eco-friendly packaging. Combining technology and science helped in producing eco-friendly packaging for products. This method reduces the excessive production of plastics and non-recyclable materials.
- Drones. Drones have helped business owners by being able to check soil and crops in large lands. Without drones, workers need to check their crops one by one to ensure a better outcome.
- AI-based solutions. Artificial intelligence help manufacturers predict the amount of food to produce to meet demands. They provide accurate predictions depending on the company size by using updated data.
- Robotics. Robotic systems are used to make food production safer and faster. It aims to keep ingredients and products in the best state.
- Smart sensors. Smarts sensors have many tasks. Manufacturers use them to determine machine health and to count inventory, making the worker’s job easier.
Generally, many factors encourage manufacturers to switch to modern solutions. Climate change and increasing demands are the ones that contribute to the development of food technology.
