The term "Food Processing" is perceived differently by the masses. To many, the term comes across with a negative tone. However, there are many overlooked benefits to food processing!
For example, did you know that food processing includes toxin removal, preservation, the ease of marketing and distribution tasks, and increases food consistency? In addition, it increases the yearly availability of many foods, enables transportation of delicate perishable foods across long distances and makes many kinds of foods safe to eat by deactivating spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms.
So we know food processing allows for less spoilage than fresh foods and is better suited for long-distance transportation from the source to the consumer. Without food processing long voyages would not be possible. But did you know that when first introduced, some processed foods helped to alleviate food shortages and improved the overall nutrition of populations as it made many new foods available to the masses? Truth be told, modern supermarkets would not exist without modern food processing techniques. Depending on where you live, can you imagine never tasting something as simple as a pineapple or avocado? This would be a possibility without modern food processing.
Processing techniques can also reduce the incidence of food-borne disease. Fresh materials, such as produce and raw meats, are more likely to nurture pathogenic micro-organisms like salmonella and are capable of causing serious illnesses. If you've ever experienced any form of food poisoning, you know how important it is to ensure that food is safe and disease free.
Even after reading all the benefits, "food processing" may still be a term that conjures up a negative thought. But hopefully this helps in understanding a few of the positives that it offers on a large scale of food production.
