According to the International Food Information Council’s 2022 Food and Health Survey, one of the top concerns for American consumers when purchasing food is its quality, with nearly 60% of respondents indicating it is important.
Food manufacturers across the United States must prioritize supplying products that consistently meet high standards to satisfy consumer expectations and nurture customer loyalty. Enacting quality control systems helps achieve these goals within the food industry.
In this article, we will go into five future trends in quality control in food manufacturers that are set to shape the industry.
READ THE INFOGRAPHIC: 5 Phases Food Manufacturing Consultants Can Help Plan
Table of Contents
- Trend #1 – Advanced Technology
- Trend #2 – Food Quality 4.0
- Trend #3 – Sustainability
- Trend #4 – Audits and Predictive Analytics
- Trend #5 – Consumer Health
Advanced tech is in and here to stay
Integrating AI, IoT, and advanced analytics is revolutionizing quality control in food manufacturing. These technologies enable real-time monitoring of production processes, ensuring that any deviations from quality standards are immediately detected and corrected.
For example, tons of Virginia food manufacturers are shifting toward controlled environment agriculture (CEA). This includes state-of-the-art techniques like hydroponic, aeroponic, and vertical farming systems.
Plenty Unlimited Inc. is building the world’s largest campus for advanced indoor vertical farming in the Greater Richmond region. Their proprietary climate control, LED lighting, and growing technologies allow for the efficient and sustainable production of a variety of produce year-round.
Hello Food Quality 4.0
Food Quality 4.0 leverages Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance food safety and quality assurance. This includes big data analytics to identify patterns and trends that can improve production processes.
For example, data from various stages of production can be analyzed to optimize ingredient usage, reduce waste, and improve product consistency. AI and machine learning models can predict potential quality issues based on historical data, allowing manufacturers to take proactive measures.
Embody all things sustainable and ethical
Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency about the origins of their food. As a result, food manufacturers are adopting traceability tools to verify the authenticity and sustainability of their ingredients.
Blockchain technology is being used to create immutable records of each step in the supply chain, from farm to table. Since 2017, Nestlé has been using the IBM Food Trust blockchain ledger to trace the origin of products like its Mousline purée and Zoégas coffee brands. This ensures that products are sourced ethically and helps quickly identify and address contamination issues.
If you’re not auditing and performing predictive analytics, what’s stopping you?
Traditional quality audits are being enhanced with digital tools that provide real-time data and predictive analytics. These tools can continuously monitor production processes and flag deviations from quality standards. Predictive analytics can identify potential issues before they become significant problems, allowing for timely interventions.
For example, machine learning models can analyze production data to predict when a batch might fail quality tests, enabling manufacturers to adjust processes accordingly.
Consumer health and safety are at the heart of everything you do; always
With growing consumer awareness about health and wellness, food manufacturers are focusing on producing safer and healthier products. This means developing nutraceuticals—foods that provide health benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. Mother Earth Products in Harrisonburg does this through its non-GMO and preservative-free freeze-dried and dehydrated foods.
Quality control measures are being adapted to ensure these products meet strict safety and efficacy standards. Also, there is an increasing emphasis on lowering allergens and contaminants in food products to protect consumer health (because our products would be nothing without them).
How A Food Manufacturing Consultant Helps
Quality products start with quality systems and processes. Contacting a consultant in food manufacturing is a great way to start—they offer strategic insights and practical solutions based on years of real-world industry experience and data so that you can make agile, competitive decisions.
