Food industry current status

Abstract To ensure a safe, global food supply, food testing has remained a staple within the food industry. Today’s industry is compelled to adhere to government regulations as well as the demand from the consumer for wholesome, nutritious, and safe foods. Over the past few decades, the emergence of newer techniques to analyze foods (in particular, the polymerase chain reaction) has included the refinement of molecular-based technology, and its transition from the research laboratory to the analytical laboratory. It is important to appreciate that such methods have their strengths and weaknesses. Molecular-based technology via its sensitivity and speed has facilitated the decision-making process, and has found a home in the food analytical laboratory. This chapter describes some of this technology and its application to the food industry, and also some of the future challenges that are on the horizon.