Trends in food: Animal protein demand rising
WHILE progress in food safety has been made by many companies, there are still critical risks and opportunities that need to be explored as the food industry undergoes rapid, large-scale transformation, a new US report has found.
The report, “Food Safety: In a State of Transformation”, examines the food safety practices of some 60 US companies throughout the food supply chain, as well as 30 companies that offer food safety solutions.
Among other things, the research, published in July 2016, identifies five emerging trends that present food safety opportunities and challenges.
For one, there is a growing preference for organic, antibiotic- and preservative-free, and locally-sourced food in the developed world. For instance, some customers have asked to have additives in processed meat removed even though those additives inhibit the growth of Listeria, a type of bacterium that infects humans and other warmblooded animals through contaminated food.
“Organic, antibiotic- and preservativefree, and locally sourced products do not inherently entail increased food safety risks,” said the report. “However, companies are adapting to new and evolving supply chains, and consumers and governments expect accountability and high standards of food safety throughout the transition.”
Another new development is the shift toward two-earner families and busier lifestyles in developed markets and some developing markets, which means that fewer meals are being cooked at home. Spending on pre-packaged and readyto-eat foodstuffs is thus on the rise.
However, this category of food is most affected by recalls, said the paper. Ready-to-eat meals require complex production processes with numerous ingredients from various suppliers coming together on a “just in time” basis.
Food safety
The third notable trend is the increasing awareness of consumers of food safety issues, and their growing demand for increased transparency from companies. In both developed and developing markets, a number of high-profile food safety incidents have led to heightened consumer awareness, said the study.
The proliferation of mobile devices and social media is also a factor, as this means that the ability of companies to control the information around a food safety incident is greatly diminished.
The study likewise notes a new movement rising incomes in developing markets are driving growth in demand for animal protein and dairy.
One implication is that bacteria found in animals may potentially cause more food-borne illness. Moreover, increasing global demand for animal protein has led to the rise of certain farming practices, which may more easily allow the transmission of food-borne parasites.
Finally, as populations in developed markets continue to age, more people will be at risk for food-borne diseases. Due to their weaker immune systems, infants and older adults are particularly vulnerable to illnesses, including those caused by food-borne pathogens.
The study was conducted by financial services firm Cornerstone Capital Group and commissioned by nonprofit research organization Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute. (Philexport News and Features)