Various Industrial Components in Food Processing - Research Paper Example

INTRODUCTION Food processing is basically a post harvest intervention geared towards improving the penchant quality of food, reducing the vulnerability of food to decomposing bacteria and to reduce the breakdown of fragile nutritional components (Shahidi 1). In essence, food processing technologies emerged as the need to ensure food security arose and to add value to attract more consumers. Processed foods have also served as convenient alternative to fresh foods because most do not require much time to prepare while some are ready to eat (Johanson 5). For instance, instead of getting fresh beans in the grocery store one can buy canned beans that have already been cooked and warm for a few minutes and eat. Processed foods are generally cheaper than fresh foods but most people especially in developed countries still prefer processed foods because they are convenient and readily available. Processed foods undergo various processes in industries that reduce their nutritional value. Furthermore, some chemical additives have been known to cause health problems in human beings. Food processing industries exploit the investment of farmers because industries buy fresh foods from farmers at cheaper prices and after processing sell them at much higher prices. The farmer is compelled to sell fresh foods to industries because in the market there is no way that the fresh products can compete with the processed foods due to issues related to convenience, perishability, and storage and transportation costs. Processed foods should not replace fresh foods but should only act as an alternative where fresh foods are not available. In view of the negative nutritional and health effects of processed foods, local farmers should be supported to ensure that people have increased access to healthy and nutritious foods. Nutrition. Processed foods undergo various industrial processes to improve on their taste, to prevent breakdown of nutritional components and to ensure that they can stay for longer period of time without going bad. Some of the processes used in industries to process foods include frying, heating, baking, addition of preservatives, fermentation, and enzymatic additions (Balch 3). Although in some instances food processing adds nutritional value to the food, destroy possible diseases causing organisms and reduce allergens, most of the processes employed currently downgrade the quality of foods. For instance, deep frying and excessive heating used in most foods to reduce their perishability also destroy heat sensitive nutrients such as vitamins and proteins. According to MobileReference, processed foods generally have reduced quality in nutrients and generally lack fibers as compared to fresh foods (85). In essence, overemphasis on the consumption of processed foods denies the population of essential nutrients. The local farmer produces fresh foods straight from the farm and sells them directly to the consumer with most nutrients intact. In addition, the nutritional value of most farm products are known and consumers can make informed decisions on the foods they want to take depending on their nutritional requirements. However, the local farmer lacks the machinery and the resources to make the nutrients easily accessible to the consumer. In view of the nutritional considerations, there is need to support local farmers to ensure that consumers have access to the basic nutritional requirements found in fresh farm products. Health. According to Skolnik some of the health related problems that have recently been associated with processed foods include obesity, cardiovscular problems, and some forms of cancer (155). Johanson adds that approaximately 300,000 Americans visit hospitals due to food related health issues (5). Most food processing companies employe industrial processes that overemphasize on the taste and flavor without any particualr consideration of the nutritional value of the processed food. Most of these foods are marketed and sold to unsuspecting consumers who are either too busy to be concerned about the nutritional value or only care about the taste. According to Hayes cardiovascular diseases and obesity have been on the increase in nations where the preference of processed over fresh foods is growing (507). Although still controversial, some food processing techniques such as deep frying and roasting have been known to convert compounds in foods into carconigens that can cause cancer (Hoffer 22). In essence, processed foods have been associated with some of the emerging diseases plaguing the developed world where food processing is common. The connection between processed foods, obesity, cardiovascualr diseases and diabete is due to the high sugar and fat content of most processed foods. Addition of sugar is usually aimed at enhancing the taste of the processed food hence their increased popularity. Sugars have high calory content that put people at risk of obesity and subsequently cardiovascular complications and diabetes according to MobileReference (93). According to Balch, healthy diet should consist of fresh products from the farm that have not been adulterated by addition of chemicals or through processes that reduce the nutritional value of food. However, just advising people to eat fresh products and failing to ensure that farmers are also empowered is not enough. The local farmer should be supported because in most instances people opt for processed foods due to unavailability of fresh products. Unfair Competition. Food processing industries primarily depend on the local farmer for the production of the raw materials they use for their products. The industrial processes invest significant amount of money in the processes and as a result the end product becomes more expensive than the original fresh products. The fresh products from the local farmer on the other hand are not able to compete fairly with processed foods in the market for a number of reasons. Food processing companies have the machinery and capital to employ cut throat marketing and advertizing initiatives to persuade consumers to buy their products, processed foods have reduced perishability and can therefore be transported to strategic points that are convenient for the buyer and transportation, storage and packaging of processed foods is much easier than transporting fresh products which in some instances might be very bulky (MobileReference 15). Consequently, the local farmer is compelled to sell his products to the food processing industries to avoid the additional costs that may be incurred in terms of transportation and storage and to escape from the stiff market competition from processed foods. Fresh foods might be cheap as compared to processed foods, but they are not always readily available in the grocery store for the consumer (Baines 26). Furthermore, with the changing lifestyles people will often opt for the more convenient processed foods. However, when the local farmers is strengthened there are high chances that at least they can escape the exploitation of food processing industries and opt to selling their fresh products directly to the final consumer. CONCLUSION Most countries in the developed world have experienced an increase in the number of processed foods in the grocery stores. Despite the fact that processed foods are convenient and can easily be transported to distant places where the foods are not grown, there is reason to be concerned because most people are opting for processed foods as alternatives to fresh foods from the farm. Food processing involves various industrial processes most of which reduce the nutrient value of the final product. The unsuspecting consumer might assume that the processed food and the fresh food have the same nutritional value and will most likely opt for the processed food even when there the fresh version. Food processing industries are essentially businesses geared towards making money with little consideration of health impacts. Most industries will concentrate on appealing to the taste preferences of the consumers even when it means selling unhealthy foods. Despite the sensitization of the population on the danger posed by some processed foods, little progress has been made due to the unavailability of fresh foods in places where the consumer can easily access them. Local farmers who produce most fresh foods are faced by economic factors that prevent them from bringing the foods into the market leaving most of them with the option of selling the products to food processing industries. Considering the lifestyle of most people in the developed world, the role played by processed foods cannot be ignored. However, health and nutrition is also of great importance. Processed food should not serve as a substitute for fresh foods as is the case in most developed countries, but should be an alternative in situations where fresh foods are totally unavailable. With regard to the discussion, the only way to reverse the current situation and reduce the health and nutritional harm caused by processed food is to support the local farmer. By supporting the local farmer, more people can have access to fresh foods that are healthy and nutritious. Works Cited Baines, John. Food and Farming. New York: Evans Brothers, 2008. Print. Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Dietary Wellness. New York: Penguin, 2003. Print. Hayes, Dayle. Food and Nutrition. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2009. Print. Hoffer, Abram. User Guide to Natural Therapies for Cancer Prevention and Control: Learn How Diet and Suppements can Help Prevent and Treat Cancer. New York: Abber Hoffer, 2004. Print Johanson, Paula. Processed Food. New Yor: Rosen Publishing Group, 2008. Print. MobileReference. Best Diets, Plans, Recipes and Nutrition (Mobi Health). New York: Barnes & Noble, 2007. Shahidi, Fereidoon. Quality of Fresh and Processed Foods. New York: Kluwer Publishing, 2004. Print. Skolnik, Richard L. Essentials of Global Health. London: Jones & Bartlett, 2008. Print. Read More