Food processing: Difference between revisions

Food processing refers to any alturations other than simply applying food preservation techniques. By alturations, we mean e.g. cutting, peeling, heating/roasting of animal- and plant-based products. We also mean making different products out of a base product. An example is e.g. making bread, cake or beer out of grains, cut (& bagged) vegetables out of vegetables, ...

Agro processing and food processing are very closely related topics which here are looked at as a whole. Generally, the primary processing of a crop once it has been harvested is termed agro processing while subsequent processing and be regarded as food processing. These areas often flow from one to the other.

Advantages and disadvantages

Increase in financial value

Turning agricultural products into other commodities has the potential to provide income generating opportunities that are needed to support the millions of poor families who can no longer support their livelihoods from the land alone and people who have no land to farm.

Effect on nutritional content

Food processing has an effect on the nutritional value of the base product that is actually being consumed. For example; beer and soy sauce have some contents removed which is then used as fodder (ie for cattle, ...)

Effect on shelf life

Food

Examples