Following extensive consultation with the Food and Drink Industry, Campden BRI, one of our Food Authenticity Centres of Expertise, publishes a report of industry needs that can be met through innovation in science and technology. The consultation spanned ‘pre-farm to post-fork’, so many needs were identified.
Commonly expressed needs:
- Sustaining product quality in the face of rising costs of operations and materials
- Soil health - recognition of soil as a resource and methods for its protection
- Human microbiota - understanding and harnessing the role of gut microbes in diet-related health conditions
- Anti-microbial resistance - addressing its significance for the food and drink sector
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber-security - managing the benefits and risks of the ‘connected world’ (e.g. Internet of Things, ’Big Data’, and machine learning)
Long-standing needs that are common to different parts of the supply chain, include:
- Assuring product safety through systems and analytical tools
- Encouraging consumer well-being through healthy diets
- Protecting consumers and industry from food fraud
- Encouraging sustainable practices, reduced use of resources and adding value to waste
- Tackling industry’s ´skills shortage´.
