How are digital technologies being used to increase the accessibility of nutritional foods and

beverages?
Food Technology, defined as the application of disruptive digital technologies across the agri-
food value chain, has enormous potential to contribute to the sustainable development goals,
particularly in combating and eliminating hunger without a significant increase in food
production. Across all stages of the agri-food chain, concentrating in particular on smart and
precision farming, value chain integrity, tailored nutrition, and the reduction and prevention of
food waste. Furthermore, weaker participants such as small farmers and consumers are
sometimes unable to benefit from technological advancements, necessitating targeted training
and instruction (Renda, A., 2019). Digitization of agriculture is getting popular in
underdeveloped countries. The goal of digital technology in agriculture is to increase linkages
along the value chain, allowing farming communities and systems to recover from stress and
absorb shocks (Sidibé et al., 2021). The Food and Beverage Service industry is a dynamic market
that is still evolving, with new trends emerging every few years. This is where digital
transformation can add significant value to organizations who manufacture, transport, deliver,
and sell food and beverage items. Embracing the benefits of Digital Transformation with Cloud-
based solutions is the ideal answer for increasing industrial efficiency, output, safety, and
capacity, as well as assisting the Food & Beverage business in reaching its full potential. At
various stages of food processing and packaging, the Industry Specific Artificial Intelligence
features and capabilities assist organizations in increasing food safety, improving traceability,
reducing wastage, and lowering costs and hazards. The food service and manufacturing
businesses have evolved to meet the world's growing need for safe, healthy, and flavorful food.
Food delivery systems span halfway around the world to bring a wide variety of fresh and
frozen foods to individuals in remote regions. Food stores are increasingly offering precooked
food alternatives for takeaway and home delivery to accommodate consumer tastes and
schedules. Researchers and scientists are also exploring new ways to replace resource-draining
dairy and animal products with plant-based and lab-grown alternatives. Almost all regulations
and policies aimed at guaranteeing food and food practices safety are predicated on having
current and accurate information. As a result, modern digital technology can provide a clear
and practical solution to food makers, distributors, and retailers' existing food safety challenges.
In modern culture, mobile devices and apps are becoming more common, with an increasing
number of individuals relying on them for many aspects of their professional and personal lives.
In the food industry, specialized apps can be used to collect and store commonly obtained data
such as storage temperature measurements, quality assurance checklists, inventory levels, and
much more. Digital product labels featuring QR (quick response) codes are increasingly gaining
acceptance in the food industry. They may be scanned quickly with a smartphone app to
provide immediate, accurate, and up-to-date information on the composition or ingredients of
food products, the date and location of manufacture, or the results of any relevant food safety
testing. Digital product labels are also nearly impossible to alter or duplicate, which is especially
important for food kinds that are susceptible to fabrication. (Khanna, n.d.)
Building a sustainable supply chain: farmers and food companies
Sustainability in the food sector means eliminating food waste and lessening the environmental
effect of food production as produce flows from field to processor to table. Sustainability is
beneficial to more than simply the environment. Food firms can boost long-term profitability by
decreasing food waste, controlling energy and water consumption, and developing more
sustainable business strategies. Along the entire food supply chain, sustainability is critical.
Waste in one location can raise prices for all enterprises further down the supply chain. As a
result, an industry-wide initiative to improve sustainability can have an impact on all
enterprises involved in the food supply chain. More food firms are searching for strategies to
promote sustainability throughout the food chain for both environmental and business reasons.
Finding areas to improve sustainability and investing in new equipment and operational
strategies is the first step. Food production has always been influenced by technology.
Throughout history, inventions have revolutionized agriculture, from the first ox-drawn plough
to the development of the combine harvester to the adoption of fertilizers and high-yield seeds.
Composting and other industrial and business practices can help. Compost can help farmers
enhance the nutrient profile of their soil. If you use food waste and other components to add
bulk and offer the right nutrient ratios, properly processed mature compost is more stable than
plain soil. Compost is simple to make, which is one of its key advantages. You can control the
curing process and generate enough heat to destroy weed, seeds and pathogens that survive
the natural composting process with the right composting equipment. Composting has a
number of advantages, one of which is that it reduces the quantity of food waste that ends up
in landfills. Organic garbage in landfills will decompose eventually. It does, however, produce
methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Compost can also reduce the
demand for artificial fertilizers, allowing farmers to grow more chemical-free crops and save
money. Composting, for example, has the potential to affect the entire food supply chain
("Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain | Marlen", 2022). Water consumption is another area
where food firms may improve their sustainability. Water conservation may be possible across
the food supply chain. Workers in commercial kitchens, for example, can conserve water by not
thawing frozen items and shutting off taps when not in use. Cleaning ingredients and
equipment can also be done more efficiently by businesses. Water waste reduction can help
you save money on your operations. It's also a fantastic strategy to boost your social capital.
Increasing your social capital implies demonstrating to your customers that your dedication to
sustainable operations. Modern, high-quality machinery can help reduce energy use, waste,
and production costs (Orr & Jadhav, 2018). Good equipment can also assist you in automating
your production operations to reduce waste caused by human mistake. Your business activities
in the food industry are dependent on other elements of the food supply chain. Rethinking how
you manage your supply chain relationships is one method to improve sustainability. To begin,
consider water waste, food waste, and energy consumption. However, you can check with
vendors and other supply chain partners to see if they're working on waste reduction and
sustainability initiatives similar to yours. You can evaluate costs to identify which potential
adjustments make the most sense from a business standpoint, in addition to adjusting business
procedures to pursue sustainability. Short-term sustainability initiatives will often benefit in the
long run ("Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain | Marlen", 2022).

References:
Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain | Marlen. (2022). Retrieved 7 May 2022, from
https://marlen.com/best-sustainability-practices-for-the-food-supply-chain/
Orr, S., & Jadhav, A. (2018). Creating a sustainable supply chain: the strategic
foundation. Journal Of Business Strategy, 39(6), 29-35
Sidibé, A., Olabisi, L. S., Doumbia, H., Touré, K., & Niamba, C. A. (2021). Barriers and enablers of
the use of digital technologies for sustainable agricultural development and food security:
Learning from cases in Mali. Elementa, 9(1).
Renda, A. 2019. The Age of Foodtech: Optimizing the Agri-Food Chain with Digital Technologies.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Through Sustainable Food Systems. Springer,
Cham, pp.171-187.
Khanna, S. Top 5 Benefits of Digitizing a Food Business. Retrieved from
https://www.alletec.com/blog/top-5-benefits-of-digitizing-a-food-business