Global Food Trade and Consumer Demand for Quality


Book Description

Consumers have always been concerned about the quality, and particularly the safety, of the foods they eat. In recent years this concern has taken on additional prominence. Consumer focus on food safety has been sharpened by reports about new risks, such as that posed by "mad cow" disease, and about more familiar sources of risk, such as food borne pathogens, pesticides, and hormones. At the same time, some consumers are in creasingly interested in knowing more about how their food is produced and in selecting products based on production practices. Some of the questions consumers are asking in clude whether food is produced with the use of modern biotechnology, whether it is or ganically produced, how animals are treated in meat and egg production systems, and whether food is produced using traditional methods. Recent trends also show increased consumer demand for a variety of food products that are fresh, tasty, and available on a year-round basis. This has fostered increased global trade in food. For example, consumers in temperate climates such as North America are able to buy raspberries throughout the year, and Europeans can enjoy South American coffee. Trade in processed food products is actually increasing more rapidly than trade in agricultural commodities, further addressing the demand for variety among consumers.




Designing Foods


Book Description

This lively book examines recent trends in animal product consumption and diet; reviews industry efforts, policies, and programs aimed at improving the nutritional attributes of animal products; and offers suggestions for further research. In addition, the volume reviews dietary and health recommendations from major health organizations and notes specific target levels for nutrients.




Advances in Meat Processing Technologies: Modern Approaches to Meet Consumer Demand


Book Description

Meat and meat-based products play an important role as foods in the diets of people around the world. However, environmental and social issues have posed a challenge to meat production processing plants, with the advent of more consumer conscious production values across the food processing industry and a changing attitude among some communities towards the consumption of products from animal origin. The development of meat science and technology has brought solutions that allow the consumption of meat in a greater proportion from the source. Traditional processes such as salting, smoking, and fermentation have been refined, and, more recently, processes such as emulsification, marinating, and tenderizing of meat, have further diversified meat products. Meat processing technology is also required to meet consumer expectations and demands for nutritious and safe food. Consumer requirements have pushed for need for adaptation and modernization of slaughterhouses, as well as the use of more suitable processing technologies for saving water, energy, and reducing waste production, all while trying to provide a high level of nutritional, sensory, and food-safety for consumers. Advances in Meat Processing Technologies aims to inform students, researchers, lecturers and others who are interested in the subject, about new meat and meat-based product processing technologies. The handbook covers a variety of meat processing technologies including dry fermentation, meat emulsification, curing, marinating, restructuring and processing of non-emulsified meat and meat analogues. Additional chapters cover the use of additives and ultrasound technology in meat processing as well as different strategies suitable for meat processing operations. The simple, topical presentation of the book, which covers a wide variety of products makes the book a key reference for informing students, researchers, lecturers, professionals and general readers who are interested in the subject of meat processing technology.










New Aspects of Meat Quality


Book Description

New Aspects of Meat Quality: From Genes to Ethics provides a reference source that covers what constitutes meat quality in the minds of consumers, marketers, and producers in the 21st century, using the same scientific authority as texts on traditional meat quality values. Traditional measures in meat quality, such as texture, waterholding, color, flavor/aroma, safety/microbiology, and processing characteristics are still important, however, additional quality attributes now have huge importance in the purchasing intentions of consumers in many countries. These include, amongst others, animal welfare, the impacts of meat on human health, quality assurance schemes, organic/free range, ethical meat production, and the desirability of genetically modified organisms. The book is divided into three main sections, with the first section covering the developments in our understanding of how muscle structure affects the eating qualities of cooked meat. The second section highlights recently developed techniques for measuring, predicting, and producing meat quality, and how these new techniques help us minimize variability in eating quality and/or maximize value. The final section identifies the current qualities of consumer and public perceptions, and what is sustainable, ethical, desirable, and healthy in meat production and consumption. - Brings together top researchers in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of the new elements of meat quality - Provides a reference source that covers the new aspects of meat quality with the same scientific authority as texts on traditional meat quality values - Edited by an extremely well respected expert in the field who is an Associate Editor of the journal Meat Science (published by Elsevier), the largest global journal within this area




Food Safety Handbook


Book Description

As with the beginning of the twentieth century, when food safety standards and the therapeutic benefits of certain foods and supplements first caught the public’s attention, the dawn of the twenty-first century finds a great social priority placed on the science of food safety. Ronald Schmidt and Gary Rodrick’s Food Safety Handbook provides a single, comprehensive reference on all major food safety issues. This expansive volume covers current United States and international regulatory information, food safety in biotechnology, myriad food hazards, food safety surveillance, and risk prevention. Approaching food safety from retail, commercial, and institutional angles, this authoritative resource analyzes every step of the food production process, from processing and packaging to handling and distribution. The Handbook categorizes and defines real and perceived safety issues surrounding food, providing scientifically non-biased perspectives on issues for professional and general readers. Each part is divided into chapters, which are then organized into the following structure: Introduction and Definition of Issues; Background and Historical Significance; Scientific Basis and Implications; Regulatory, Industrial, and International Implications; and Current and Future Implications. Topics covered include: Risk assessment and epidemiology Biological, chemical, and physical hazards Control systems and intervention strategies for reducing risk or preventing food hazards, such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Diet, health, and safety issues, with emphasis on food fortification, dietary supplements, and functional foods Worldwide food safety issues, including European Union perspectives on genetic modification Food and beverage processors, manufacturers, transporters, and government regulators will find the Food Safety Handbook to be the premier reference in its field.







30th Scientific-Experts Conference of Agriculture and Food Industry


Book Description

This book gathers the proceedings of the 30th Scientific-Experts Conference of Agriculture and Food Industry, held on September 26-27, 2019, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It reports on the application of innovative technologies in food sciences and agriculture, and covers research in plant and animal production, agricultural economics and food production. Further, the book discusses key social and environmental issues, and proposes answers to current challenges. The conference was jointly organized by the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences of the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Faculty of Agriculture of Ege University, Turkey, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Medical and Biological Engineering Society, and the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Belgrade, Serbia. The proceedings offer a timely snapshot of cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research and developments in modern agriculture. As such, they address the needs of researchers and professionals, agricultural companies, food producers, and regulatory and food safety agencies.




Understanding Consumers of Food Products


Book Description

In order for food businesses, scientists and policy makers to develop successful products, services and policies, it is essential that they understand food consumers and how they decide which products to buy. Food consumer behaviour is the result of various factors, including the motivations of different consumers, the attributes of specific foods, and the environment in which food choices occur. Recognising diversity between individual consumers, different stages of life, and different cultural contexts is increasingly important as markets become increasingly diverse and international.The book begins with a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the key drivers of consumer food choices, such as the environment and sensory product features. Part two examines the role of consumers' attitudes towards quality and marketing, and their views on food preparation and technology. Part three covers cultural and individual differences in food choice as well as addressing potentially influential factors such as age and gender. Important topics such as public health and methods to change consumers' preferences for unhealthy foods are discussed in part four. The final section concludes with advice on developing coherent safety policies and the consumers' responsibility for food production and consumption.Understanding consumers of food products is a standard reference for all those in the food industry concerned with product development and regulation. - Develop an understanding of buyer behaviour to assist developing successful products - Recognise the diversity between consumers and learn how to cater for their needs - Covers cultural and individual differences in food choice