Written by Timothy Kelf, Head of Research at Bühler SORTEX.
Written by Timothy Kelf, Head of Research at Bühler SORTEX.
The world of food processing never sits still. Markets and regulations are constantly changing, which require flexibility and adaptation from processors. To stay ahead and profitable, it's crucial that processors prepare for emerging challenges. Here are three key areas that will likely shape the future of food processing:
Climate change is a significant threat to agriculture, leading to increased stress on crops. This creates a breeding ground for mold growth, which can produce dangerous toxins that pose serious health risks to people and livestock. For this reason, regulations are getting increasingly stringent on their presence in food. With regulations going up, and the presence of mold going up, processors could be at risk of product recall, costing a lot of money and resources.
Food processors need to be proactive in mitigating this risk. Implementing robust quality control measures throughout the supply chain is key. This might involve advanced testing methods and incorporating sorting technologies that can identify and remove mold-infected materials. Yes, this technology exists, check out our SORTEX LumoVision.
Can you tell the difference between an oat and a barley? For much of the world, allergens are secretly invading our food, prompting stricter regulations to ensure consumer safety. This creates a higher level of focus on allergen control within the processing chain.
The future of food processing likely involves investing in more sophisticated sorting solutions. Advanced technologies that use multi-spectral imaging and powerful algorithms can keep food allergen-free and give processors peace of mind, while safeguarding consumers and building brand trust. Luckily, our sorters can tell the difference between an oat and a barley (and many other allergens).
Food waste is a major global issue with serious environmental and economic impact. Like the other two challenges, food waste is present today, but is likely to become even more of an issue going forward due to climate change and overpopulation. What’s the problem with waste? Alongside an increased global footprint, processors are also losing money on wasted raw materials and reject; materials that with the right treatment could be sent to market for more profit.
By removing unwanted materials like foreign objects or imperfections early on, processors can substantially improve food yield. Here, an optical sorter can dramatically reduce the amount of waste, contributing to a more sustainable food system and increasing the profit margins of processors.
The future of food processing demands innovation and adaptation. By staying informed about these emerging challenges and exploring new technologies, processors can navigate a changing landscape and ensure a safe, sustainable, and efficient food supply for all.
