Chapter 4
The Future of Chemicals in the Food
Production Ambit
Abstract The continuous and impetuous advance of chemistry in the food and beverage industry is relatively recent and correlated with the creation of new products
with enhanced features (e.g., improved durability) on the one side, and the introduction of automated or semi-automated processes similar to non-food industries,
meaning also the creation of busy program schedules, the use of ‘crowded’ areas for
manipulation, storage, transportation, etc., and the need of improved machines and
equipment which should be functional and cleanable in a relatively low time. Many
workers, exposed to chemicals, may suffer critical diseases because of significant
adverse effects, even at low doses. The difference in physical state of chemicals
(powders, aerosolized dust, gas, etc.) can complicate studies and evaluations. Food
industries are not an exception. This chapter explores the future behavior of food
production workers when speaking of chemical handling and allowed/notified uses.
Probably, food and beverage companies will be forced to gradually consider safety
and environmental concerns within their organization, and young/senior managers
will be required to comply with safety regulations. Moreover, the increasing number
of different (even if similar) food products could be the needed premise for ameliorated logistic procedures in warehouses. In addition, the design of modern foods and
beverages could promote the diminution of mixing operations (the ‘omnipresent’
step in all food and beverage industries) with reduced production steps and risks
related to manipulation of chemical products.
Keywords Chemical risk · Cleaning agent · Food additive · Food industry · Safe
handling · Sanitizer · Technological aid
Abbreviation
AISS Association internationale de la sécurité sociale
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
R. Chaib and M. Barone, Chemicals in the Food Industry,
Chemistry of Foods, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42943-0_4
67
The Future of Chemicals in the Food
Production Ambit
Abstract The continuous and impetuous advance of chemistry in the food and beverage industry is relatively recent and correlated with the creation of new products
with enhanced features (e.g., improved durability) on the one side, and the introduction of automated or semi-automated processes similar to non-food industries,
meaning also the creation of busy program schedules, the use of ‘crowded’ areas for
manipulation, storage, transportation, etc., and the need of improved machines and
equipment which should be functional and cleanable in a relatively low time. Many
workers, exposed to chemicals, may suffer critical diseases because of significant
adverse effects, even at low doses. The difference in physical state of chemicals
(powders, aerosolized dust, gas, etc.) can complicate studies and evaluations. Food
industries are not an exception. This chapter explores the future behavior of food
production workers when speaking of chemical handling and allowed/notified uses.
Probably, food and beverage companies will be forced to gradually consider safety
and environmental concerns within their organization, and young/senior managers
will be required to comply with safety regulations. Moreover, the increasing number
of different (even if similar) food products could be the needed premise for ameliorated logistic procedures in warehouses. In addition, the design of modern foods and
beverages could promote the diminution of mixing operations (the ‘omnipresent’
step in all food and beverage industries) with reduced production steps and risks
related to manipulation of chemical products.
Keywords Chemical risk · Cleaning agent · Food additive · Food industry · Safe
handling · Sanitizer · Technological aid
Abbreviation
AISS Association internationale de la sécurité sociale
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
R. Chaib and M. Barone, Chemicals in the Food Industry,
Chemistry of Foods, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42943-0_4
67