5 Ways New Technologies Are Affecting the Food Industry

Many people believe that technology is taking over the world, and to some degree, they might be right. Although sometimes we do not realize it, technology impacts our every move even swaying our food choices.

Here are five ways technology influences the food you eat:

GMOs

While this may seem like a new technology, GMOs have actually been around for many years. The first genetically modified organism was made in 1994. Additionally, products from GMOs have been in stores since 1997. Essentially, scientists alter certain crops making them resistant to pests as well as herbicides. Scientists also have the ability to increase the nutrition of the crop itself. So, when you bite into a carrot, you’re actually receiving far more nutrition than before. Now, GMO crops are also being modified to grow in habitats differ from its origin, which can provide resolution to food crises in various countries. 

Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture, also known as satellite farming, is a form of farming that includes using GPS tracking systems as well as satellite imagery to keep an eye on weather patterns. The process allows farmers to adjust their crop yields and soil levels promoting efficiency. With the rise of food shortages and overpopulation, it is essential to make the most of an area and ensure that the food yields flourish. This technology provides the farmer the information they need to plant only on the parts of land that will yield the most food.

Data Analysis

Data analytics is part of the food industry, too! With tons of data coming in about certain foods, analyzing all of that data and determining relationships and trends allows authorities to determine which foods actually promote human nutrition. This impacts the FDA who have rewritten some of their protocols about certain foods as new data reveals their impact on our bodies.

Waste Not, Want Not

In the United States, a lot of food goes to waste. Whether consumers don’t buy ripe fruits or throw their leftovers, food usually ends up in the trash. To combat this waste, a few companies have started to take food waste and turn it into cosmetics. These cosmetics are then sold giving the food that would have just been rotting at the bottom of the dumpster a purpose instead.

3D Printed Food

It may seem strange to imagine edible food exiting an electronic printer, but it’s a legitimate operation. One company has already managed to make candies using pure sugar and a 3D printer. They have teamed up with Hershey’s and 3D-printed chocolate. This new development could be used to create meatless-meat, satisfying that need for protein whilst cutting down on the number of slaughtered cows and amount of carbon emissions that are created in the meat industry. One product, Foodini, is already selling to homes. You can make 3D-printed pizzas, desserts, and burgers! Of course, you do need to mix the ingredients in a blender first. Perhaps in another year, there will be a feature that performs that action for you.

That’s Not All

So many more technologies will continue to develop and impact the food industry. As our tech becomes smarter and more advanced, so too, does our relationship with food. It can teach us how to develop without hurting our planet, and provide us with the hope of finding a way to solve world hunger one day.