Image Source:
http://www.theguardian.com/what-is-nano/nanotechnology-the-worlds-smallest-meal
Nanotechnology
has a huge impact on the food industry in all areas, of which it goes beyond
the nanofoods, nano-delivery and includes the aspect of farming practices, food
processing, packaging and food safety. However, we will be only focusing on the
aspect of nanofood and food packaging.
It
is predicted that the nanofoods market has the potential to reach 20.4 billion
US dollars by 2020 and there is approximately 200 transnational food companies
spent billions of dollars on the investment of nanofood and nanopackaging. By
2040, the world will be full of nanoproduced food. As such, the nanotechnology
seems to have endless potential in this industry.
Nanofoods
are getting closer to us and in fact many food that can be found in the grocery
stores are containing nanomaterials. For instance, yogurt, milk, cream cheese,
coffee creamer, pasta and chocolates are all considered as nanofoods. Also,
nanotechnology has been widely used in food packaging, of which it helps to
minimize the harmful bacteria and to extend the products’ shelf life.
Written By: Team 3 (Pun Pui Yi)
References:
Farren, 2014. New Futuristic Nanofoods Sneaking into
Grocery Stores Every Week. [online] Available at: <http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/new_futuristic_nanofoods_sneaking_into_grocery_stores_every_week/>
[Accessed 29 May 2015]
Beilharz N, 2014. Nanotechnology may change how we grow food. [online]
Available at: <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-24/nanotech-artifical-photosynthesis/5546782>
[Accessed 29 May 2015].
Donsky A, 2015. What are Nanoparticles and Why are
They in Our Food? [online] Available at: <http://naturallysavvy.com/eat/what-are-nanoparticles-and-why-are-they-in-our-food>
[Accessed 29 May 2015].
