Food Technology: Is It Doing What We Think?

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2140802/the_real_point_of_gm_food_is_corporate_control_of_farming.html

Among those in the know, Golden Rice has long been considered a joke, a lark, or a scam. This genetically engineered rice has marginally higher levels of beta-carotene (which after digestion provides vitamin A), and thus a healthy-looking golden color to it. Unfortunately, the concentration is really only good for marketing. While millions around the globe suffer from lack of vitamin A, the amounts in Golden Rice aren't high enough to help any of them. This article proposes another purpose behind such endeavors: corporate control. While Golden Rice doesn't solve any discernible problem, it is patentable. 

Hospital Food Carefully Orchestrated with Tech

http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20131030/BUSINESS/310300036/Hospital-food-goes-hi-tech-with-iPads-consolidation?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|FRONTPAGE

Using tech enhanced ordering, production, and delivery systems, Culinary Solutions is improving all aspects of hospital food. Orders are taken by hostesses with iPads, produced in a carefully orchestrated kitchen, and delivered in most cases within 30 minutes. With such care and efficiency, Culinary Solutions may even accomplish one of those great feats which has long been though impossible: palatable hospital food!

Investors are Funding Aquaponics Ventures

http://www.marketspress.com/high-tech-aquaculture-sustainable-food-production-system-gets-funding-3409/davehopper.html

Aquaponics systems, also known as recirculating farms. Can produce large quantities of high quality food on a small plot. The systems produced by Global Aquaponics Incorporated can produce 2.4 million pounds of food per year on a mere five acres. All of which is organic and GMO-free!

Aquaponics systems integrate fish and vegetable production.

Going to See a Man About a Horse, Cow, or Goat

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Safety-Regulation/Corruption-in-the-meat-and-fish-supply-chains

Recent large scale scandals have brought meat adulteration to light. Dr. Peter Fellows, a renowned food technologist, recommends buying local. The possibility of regular testing is presently remote, but technology is improving.

http://www.thepigsite.com/swinenews/34557/pork-or-horse-norwich-oxford-collaborate-over-new-meat-test

The Institute of Food Research announced new, faster methods for testing meat using Pulsar™ by Oxford Instruments. These benchtop devices could make routine testing a reality for local authorities.

Food Packaging to Fight Fraud: Is it Legit?

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Supply-Chain/Authentication-tech-fights-food-fraud

PolyOne Corp. has introduced an arsenal of packaging based strategies to help fight food fraud. Many of these methods would help keep counterfeit brands off the shelves, but how much of the problem does that solve?

http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/food-fraud-10-counterfeit-products-we-commonly-consume

According to Mother Nature Network, many of the most commonly counterfeited foods don't involve counterfeited packaging. The ingredients themselves are fake, or intentionally mislabeled.

3D Printing From Multiple Angles

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/science_tech/3-d-food-printing-technology-emerges-at-south-by-southwest-eco

One presentation at the recent SXSW Eco conference featured a 3D printer used for pizza. On a long spaceflight, MREs could get monotonous, and Domino's definitely won't make it there in 20 minutes or less!

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/tech/food-and-drink/alton-brown-says-3-d-printing-could-revolutionize-cooking

A little closer than outer space, Alton Brown is known for taking a scientific approach to explaining cooking. He thinks that 3D printing could revolutionize cooking here on Earth.

Smart Packaging

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/26/how-carbon-nanotubes-could-save-you-from-spoiled-food/

Smart packaging! Not only can we save material waste, we can also save food waste. Embedded nanotube sensors could help monitor food freshness.

Packaging - Another Dimension in Sustainability

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Packaging/Lighter-packaging-how-much-further-can-we-go?nocount

In the drive for greater sustainability, it's important to remember factors like packaging. As Sabine Strnad points out, this is one of those obvious junctions of doing the right thing and good business sense. Less packaging = less waste = less cost. Everyone wins.

And then there's the lighter side of lighter packaging:

Special Treats for Food Day from the Durban University of Technology

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2013/10/17/durban-university-of-technology-students-unveil-jackfruit-ale

The folks Durban University of Technology have come up with some very interesting things for World Food Day, October 16th. A couple of the best:

• Jackfruit Ale - with light tropical fruit notes and 8% alcohol it sounds like a winner in my book!
• X-plosion Gum - with lots of caffeine, guarana, and ginseng. This one sounds like a real pick-me-up. Perfect for the morning after night of Jackfruit Ale!

Here in the US, we'll have Food Day next week. Check out the UT Austin Food Fair on Wednesday, October 23rd!