The Role of Food Science and Technology in Navigating the Health Issues of Ultra-Processed Foods

Abstract

Food processing is seen as a double-edged sword. It is argued to have helped to provide a stable and safe food supply to urbanised societies, however with NOVA definition of ultra-processed foods it has now been linked to disease. Food science and technology has arguably been a major contributor to both. These potential harms are not a deliberate act, they simply meet the legal and market obligations placed on food businesses to be successful. So how food science and technology be pivoted back to improve health needs exploration, which will need to be consider within other issues including sustainability. Additionally, the increasing demand for plant-based meat alternatives and the role of fortification along with sustainable packaging and logistics to either enhance the physical properties and nutritional value of foods alongside minimising the need to process to transport them from farm to plate are further challenges. Finally, it will be considered how our food system might be supported to go through its next scientific and technological revolution to deliver a food environment and supply that has its primary objective of supporting human and planetary health, but in a way that is economically successful for all members of society.