Modern Applicationsof Food Science

Chapter 4

Objectives

• Summarize the philosophy of ethics

• Define food composition

• Relate food to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Define GAIN and explain its function

• Describe hydroponics

Objectives (cont’d.)

• Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture

• Define biotechnology and its application to food science

• Explain genetically modified organisms

• Identify common food allergens

• Define food irradiation

Objectives (cont’d.)

• Explain cultural heritage

• Summarize ecology and its relationship to biodiversity and monocultures

• Explain sustainable agriculture

• Analyze conservation in food service

• Define organics

Ethics and Food in Modern Society

• Ethics is the study of right and wrong behavior– Divided into metaethics, normative ethics

and applied ethics

• In food service purchasing, some topics may require ethical guidance– Food irradiation, biotechnology

Food Composition

• A chef must consider food composition in its entirety– Organic or inorganic composition– Its pedigree

• Foods contain a variety of chemical molecules– Water, fats, carbohydrates and proteins

Advancements in Food Science and Technology

4.2 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Combating World Hunger

• United Nations has set a goal of reducing the number of hungry people– Starvation is decreasing, but

undernourished people are increasing– Estimates indicate one in seven people do

not have enough nourishment on a daily basis

Combating World Hunger (cont’d.)

• Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)– Created to combat vitamin and mineral

deficiency– Leadership hub bringing together different

organizations– Disburses funds to developing countries to

build food markets and fortify foodstuffs

Technological Advances in Food Production

• Methods of increasing agricultural yields– Hydroponics

• Growing plants without using soil• Water is medium used to grow the plants

– Aquaculture• Fish farming in specially controlled environment

– Biotechnology• Genetically modified plants

4.4 Drawing of Hydroponic System

Human Health and Food Safety

• Food engineering– Done for increased yields, pest resistance

and increased shelf life

• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)– DNA transferred from one plant or animal

to another

Human Health and Food Safety (cont’d.)

• Cloned Farm Animals– Milk and meat tentatively concluded safe

by the FDA

• Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)– Requires presence of common allergens

be included on the food label

Human Health and Food Safety (cont’d.)

• Food allergens– Food service operators not currently

required to post warnings

• Growth-enhancing hormones– Natural steroids added to feed of beef and

milk animals– Banned in E.U. but allowed in U.S.

Human Health and Food Safety (cont’d.)

• Food irradiation– Reduces disease causing germs in food– High levels of radiant energy kills

microorganisms without raising temperature of the food

– FDA requires that irradiated foods be labeled as such

Cultural Heritage

• Parts of society we want to keep, appreciate, and pass on to future generations

• Tourism draws on cultural heritage

• Local food service operations can protect cultural heritage by preparing local foods native to their region

Environmental Protection

• Commitment to preserve and renew natural resources

• Ecology– Study of the interaction between living

things and their physical environment

• Biodiversity– Number of species is declining

Environmental Protection (cont’d.)

• Monoculture– Practice of growing the same crop on the

same fields year after year– Need additional chemicals for pest control

and fertilizers for soil quality• Risk that pests will become resistant to the

chemicals and destroy crops

Environmental Protection (cont’d.)

• Sustainable agriculture– Steps to maintain high yields without

destroying the soil or decreasing productivity

• Examples: crop rotation; planting cover crops; using natural predators instead of chemicals

• Conservation– Conserving food frees up more for others

Environmental Protection (cont’d.)

• 20 percent of food is wasted each year– Left in fields or orchards– Lost during manufacturing, storage, or

transportation– Wasted during final preparation in homes

or restaurants

Environmental Protection (cont’d.)

• Organics– No chemical fertilizers or pesticides– Minimally processed– Before the 1940’s, all farming was organic

• National Organic Program implemented in 2002– Provides guidelines and certifications

Environmental Protection (cont’d.)

• Sustainability and greening initiatives– National Restaurant Association (NRA)

launched a campaign for sustainability in 2008

– National nonprofit Green Restaurant Association (GRA) formed in 1990

– All new Starbucks buildings will be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council

Summary

• Food is one of the most basic human needs– Number of undernourished people in the

world is one in seven– Several international organizations working

to reduce world hunger

• Food allergen labeling is mandated

Summary (cont’d.)

• Hydroponics, aquaculture, and biotechnology are methods employed to increase agricultural yields

• Sustainable agriculture uses methods designed to preserve environment

• Examples of green practices– Conservation, waste reduction