By 2030 the global population is set to grow to approximately 8.5 billion; for food producers, this translates to nearly 5 million tons of food per day in order to feed the rising demand.  The food industry will need to not only provide nutritious food, but food that is safe, also.  Taking a close look at the trends in the food industry, there are three clear factors that leaders in the food industry are monitoring for success.

Shelf-life.  Improving the shelf-life of foods is a critical process that relies heavily on technology, either through aseptic processing or adding preservatives.  This process has to be safe (after all, no one wants a return to the days of botulism!), but the best processes will also improve consistency and food reliability.

Flavor.  It doesn’t matter how healthy a food is, if people don’t enjoy the taste of it, they will not purchase it.  While this may seem like common sense, it is important to note that for many modern packaged foods, flavor is more a matter of consistent chemistry than anything else.  The FDA monitors color and additives, so accurate measurement is critical in order to meet federal guidelines as well as consistent product delivery.

Quality.  Food quality is sometimes a matter of perception, but manufacturers know that high-quality foods is also a matter of vitamin, color and preservative additions as well as flavoring.  Again, consistency is key in order to have a replicable product that meets the demands of regulation and public opinion.

Ultimately, food manufacturers need to provide consistent, safe and nutritious products.  Partnering with equipment experts like Komax can ensure efficient and replicable production.