Applications of CRISPR Technologies Across the Food Supply Chain

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Brandt ◽  
Rodolphe Barrangou

The food industry faces a 2050 deadline for the advancement and expansion of the food supply chain to support the world's growing population. Improvements are needed across crops, livestock, and microbes to achieve this goal. Since 2005, researchers have been attempting to make the necessary strides to reach this milestone, but attempts have fallen short. With the introduction of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, the food production field is now able to achieve some of its most exciting advancements since the Green Revolution. This review introduces the concept of applying CRISPR-Cas technology as a genome-editing tool for use in the food supply chain, focusing on its implementation to date in crop, livestock, and microbe production, advancement of products to market, and regulatory and societal hurdles that need to be overcome.

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1223
Author(s):  
Ilianna Kollia ◽  
Jack Stevenson ◽  
Stefanos Kollias

This paper provides a review of an emerging field in the food processing sector, referring to efficient and safe food supply chains, ’from farm to fork’, as enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The field is of great significance from economic, food safety and public health points of views. The paper focuses on effective food production, food maintenance energy management and food retail packaging labeling control, using recent advances in machine learning. Appropriate deep neural architectures are adopted and used for this purpose, including Fully Convolutional Networks, Long Short-Term Memories and Recurrent Neural Networks, Auto-Encoders and Attention mechanisms, Latent Variable extraction and clustering, as well as Domain Adaptation. Three experimental studies are presented, illustrating the ability of these AI methodologies to produce state-of-the-art performance in the whole food supply chain. In particular, these concern: (i) predicting plant growth and tomato yield in greenhouses, thus matching food production to market needs and reducing food waste or food unavailability; (ii) optimizing energy consumption across large networks of food retail refrigeration systems, through optimal selection of systems that can be shut-down and through prediction of the respective food de-freezing times, during peaks of power demand load; (iii) optical recognition and verification of food consumption expiry date in automatic inspection of retail packaged food, thus ensuring safety of food and people’s health.


2022 ◽  
pp. 127-150
Author(s):  
Pinki Saini ◽  
Unaiza Iqbal ◽  
Mazia Ahmed ◽  
Devinder Kaur

Today, the globalization of the supply chain in the food industry has surged remarkably; hence, food safety and quality certification have become critical. Blockchain is recognized as a promising technology in the agri-foods industry where it can act as a systematic and robust mechanism for increasing the food traceability and provide a transparent and efficient way to assure quality, safety, and sustainability of agri-foods. By lowering the cost and increasing value, this digital technology has the potential to increase profitability of agricultural produce along the value chain. This chapter aims to investigate the potential utilization of blockchain technology in the agri-food industry, where it can be used to address issues of trust and transparency and to facilitate sharing of information sharing among stakeholders. The technology is still in a preliminary stage; thus, this chapter is written to examine its implication in the agri-food supply chain, existing initiatives, challenges, and potential.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norasekin Ab Rashid ◽  
Jamil Bojei

Purpose Muslim consumers have been shocked with the news of cross-contamination issues in the Halal food that they consumed. These issues make them put more effort in ensuring the products that they purchased being monitored throughout the supply chain. In this case, food companies must be prepared to implement systematic traceability system to ensure the authenticity of Halal products and comprehend the importance of Halal industry environmental factors (HIEF) in enhancing integrity of Halal food supply chain and protect from any risk of cross-contaminations. This paper aims to clarify the relationship between the Halal traceability system adoption (HTSA) and HIEFs on Halal food supply chain integrity (HFSCIn). Design/methodology/approach The study opted quantitative research approach by using the self-administrated questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed during Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2014 and Halal Fiesta Malaysia (HALFEST) 2014. 127 Malaysian Halal food and beverages companies have been involved in the study. Most of the respondents are the general manager or owner of the company, Halal executives, quality assurance managers, operation managers and sales manager. Findings The study found that there is a significant relationship between HTSA and HIEF on HFSCIn. The study also found that the highest adoptions of Halal traceability system are among the producer and end user, while the highest contributions in influencing the HIEF are the economic and socio-cultural factors. Research limitations/implications This study only focused on Halal food industry particularly the food and beverages category. Thus, future study can explore further on every category in food industry such as raw materials and ingredients; poultry, meat and dairy; fast food and premises and make comparison between pharmaceutical, cosmetics and health care in Halal industry. In addition, the sample size (N = 127) can be considered small; therefore, it is recommended that in future the subject matter be explored with a much larger sample to allow generalization of the result. Originality/value This study provided, perhaps for the first time, an analysis of the relationship between traceability adoptions and HIEF on HFSCIn.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
E. S. Apata ◽  
O. E. Fashina ◽  
G. A. Adeleke ◽  
B. G. Otaki ◽  
K. O. Adeyemi ◽  
...  

Coronavirus had been in existence for many years, but its effects has not been so evident as the whole world experienced recently. It represents an unprecedented emergency and grave societal threat. The better way to cure the emergence disease is by protecting public health. However, governments, policy makers and the international community must quickly need to act, recognize and attempt to mitigate the negative impacts (current and potential) of the pandemic and related response efforts on key sectors that contribute to food security, nutrition and livelihoods. The livestock sector is a key contributor to these areas, especially for the world's most vulnerable populations. In the light of recent challenges in food supply chain, there is now considerable concern about the food production, processing, distribution, and demand. COVID-19 resulted in the movement restrictions of workers, changes in demand of consumers, closure of food production facilities, restricted food trade policies and financial pressures in food supply chain. The effects of COVID-19 on the livestock sector are still largely unquantified and yet to be fully felt. Formal assessments have not yet been possible, but current observations reveal disruptions to livestock value chains. Lessons from past epidemics indicate these disruptions are likely to grow, along with their dire, socio- economic consequences. Moreover, considering the doubt on how these factors will play out in various areas affected especially meat processing and distribution in the years to come from the bulk of discussion in this review.     Le coronavirus existait depuis de nombreuses années, mais ses effets n'ont pas été aussi évidents que le monde entier l'a récemment expérimenté. Cela représente une urgence sans précédent et une grave menace pour la société. La meilleure façon de guérir la maladie émergente est de protéger la santé publique. Cependant, les gouvernements, les décideurs et la communauté internationale doivent rapidement agir, reconnaître et tenter d'atténuer les impacts négatifs (actuels et potentiels) de la pandémie et des efforts de riposte connexes sur les secteurs clés qui contribuent à la sécurité alimentaire, à la nutrition et aux moyens de subsistance. Le secteur de l'élevage est un contributeur clé dans ces domaines, en particulier pour les populations les plus vulnérables du monde. À la lumière des défis récents de la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire, la production, la transformation, la distribution et la demande des aliments suscitent désormais des i nquiétudes considérables. Le COVID-19 a entraîné des restrictions de mouvement des travailleurs, des changements dans la demande des consommateurs, la fermeture des installations de production alimentaire, des politiques commerciales restreintes et des pressions financières dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire. Les effets du COVID-19 sur le secteur du bétail sont encore largement non quantifiés et ne sont pas encore pleinement ressentis. Les évaluations formelles n'ont pas encore été possibles, mais les observations actuelles révèlent des perturbations dans les chaînes de valeur de l'élevage. Les leçons des épidémies passées indiquent que ces perturbations sont susceptibles de se développer, ainsi que leurs conséquences socio- économiques désastreuses. De plus, la prise en compte du doute sur la manière dont ces facteurs joueront dans divers domaines touchés, en particulier la transformation et la distribution de la viande dans les années à venir, constitue l'essentiel de la discussion dans cette revue.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyrki Niemi ◽  
Xing Liu

Buyer power and competition policy in food supply chains has emerged as an important economic issue and a highly sensitive item on the policy agenda around the world. In Finland, the increasing concentration of the distribution sector and processing industry has raised concern over the existence and gradual growth of buyer power in these sectors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible existence of buyer power in the Finnish food supply chain. More specifically, we follow an approach used by Lloyd et al. (2009) to measure oligopsony power among the Finnish food industry and retailers against farmers. The results suggest that the spread between producer and retailer prices in Finland is not consistent with perfectly competitive behaviour, and might thus be caused, at least as a candidate amongst other factors, by the existence of oligopsony power in the Finnish food supply chain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
María Aránzazu Sulé Alonso ◽  
Tea Rushit ◽  
Elvira Delgado-Márquez

Humankind has faced various pandemics in history. The food supply chain is one of the foremost vital sectors of the economy, and COVID-19 has had a clear bearing on it from the field to the consumer. In the light of recent challenges in the food supply chain, there is currently considerable concern regarding food production, processing, distribution, and demand. COVID-19 resulted in the movement restrictions of staff, changes in the demands of consumers, closure of food production facilities, restrictive food trade policies, and monetary pressures in the food supply chain.  This study describes the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on people’s interests, opinions, and behaviour towards food. Additionally, an online questionnaire (Spanish population, n = 232) studied the changes in food shopping habits during the pandemic. To try to cover the whole Léon territory and reach the greatest number of persons through mobile phones, tablets, and computers, the questionnaire was created using the Google Forms tool and distributed using instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, social networking sites such as LinkedIn and ResearchGate, and email through snowball sampling. The statistical analysis was carried out under the SPSS programme. The results are presented in the form of means and distributions. The differences between subgroups have been evaluated using student’s t-test. The level of statistical significance used in all cases was p < 0.05. This study is focused on evaluating changes in food consumption habits of the Spanish adult population throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. The study is supported by a web-based survey targeting the adult general population. From this study, we are able to conclude that the studied Spanish adult population is extremely close to from having good healthy dietary habits, considering the Mediterranean Diet as a reference of healthy uptake. An improvement of dietary behaviours throughout the COVID-19 confinement has been discovered. Health-related food selections involved increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and legumes and decreased intake of red meat, alcohol, fried foods, or pastries compared to their pre-pandemic habits.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Smith ◽  
Gerard McElwee

Purpose Food supply chain theory and practice generally assumes that the business practices and processes involved are ethical, legal and value-adding when this is not always so, as demonstrated by the ongoing 2013 horse-meat scandal. Although it is ostensibly a UK-based affair, it encompasses the meat processing industry across Europe. This study, thus, aims to examine supply chain criminality and to highlight “scandal scripts” which amplify underlying issues. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of extant literature on the scandal adds to that body of work, updating the existing narrative to include a detailed analysis of convicted “industry insiders”, highlighting supply chain issues involved in the frauds. Micro-stories of businessmen involved are presented to enable an empirical exploration of their illegal involvement in the meat trade. Using storied data from accounts of the scandal as contemporary examples, emerging themes and issues are outlined through a mixed methods qualitative approach consisting of ethical covert research, using documentary research strategy underpinned by narrative inquiry. Findings Media coverage perpetuated various myths notably that the fraud was carried out by “shadowy”, Eastern European “mafia figures” exploiting the extended food supply chains. The analysis is aided by the use of media hypothesis. Far from being a mafia-inspired fraud, the criminal activity was organised in nature and committed by insider businessmen. The findings demonstrate that supply chains are complex and require an understanding of storied business practices, including the ethical and illegal. Research limitations/implications From an academic perspective, there are implications such as the dearth of academic research and policy-related studies into food fraud possibly because of the difficulty in obtaining data because of access to such enterprises and entrepreneurs necessitating reliance upon documentary sources and investigative journalism. Practical implications There are distinct policy implications, particularly the need to legislate against international criminal conspiracies and everyday ordinary organised food frauds perpetuated. Lax penalties do little to prevent such crimes which need to be taken more seriously by the authorities, and treated as major crime. In formulating food laws, rules and regulations, greater cognisance should be taken to consider how supply chains in the food industry could be better protected from predatory criminal actions. Originality/value This novel qualitative study will enable academics and practitioners to better understand illegal enterprise, food fraud and risk management from both operational and supply chain perspectives and will be useful to investigators by furthering our understanding of entrepreneurial practice and morality in the food industry.


Author(s):  
Hanhan Maulana ◽  
◽  
Selvia Lorena Br Ginting ◽  
Pramanda Aryan ◽  
Muhamad Restu Fadillah ◽  
...  

This study aims to analyze the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in supporting the management of food supply chains (FSCs) in the food industry. This research used qualitative research methods. The results obtained from this study are increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing food supply chain in the food industry by applying the IoT concept to food supply chain management. These results can be obtained because the IoT concept is supported by various systems and technologies that can be implemented and developed so that IoT can help identify and deal with existing problems more quickly while being able to assist in the decision-making process with information obtained through IoT technology so that it will support development food supply chain management in the food industry. This study was conducted to see how much influence the internet of things (IoT) has on food supply chain management in the food industry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-589
Author(s):  
Fadhlur Rahim Azmi ◽  
Abu Abdullah ◽  
Haslinda Musa ◽  
Wan Hasrulnizzam Wan Mahmood

Purpose Food industry players obtain the advantages of profits growth within the halal industry whereby the market is dynamic to generate profit. Hence, this study aims to analyse the perception of food manufacturers towards the adoption of the halal food supply chain (HFSC). Design/methodology/approach For this study, 103 halal food manufacturers in Malaysia were selected as respondents. Perceptions of respondents towards HFSC were recorded using a five-point questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed by authors and adapted from a previous study. The questionnaire was circulated by two experts with proficiency in this filed. Findings By conducting exploratory factor analysis, the study found the perception of food manufacturers, which is expected business benefits play an important role in the adoption of HFSC. Halal integrity becomes the second factor to lead the company to its adoption. Organizational readiness is the third factor that drives the company to adopt HFSC. Research limitations/implications Majority of the sample was responded by Bumiputera companies. The study suggests focussing the study for non-Bumiputera companies to examine their influence towards HFSC. Furthermore, future studies should explore different sectors of halal, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, travel and tourism, logistics, finance and e-commerce. Moreover, ensuring the status of halal should be more emphasized in food chains; thus, the source of risk in HFSC should be explored to secure the integrity of halal. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the halal food industry, whereby the adoption of HFSC will contribute to the business benefits to create a more competitive advantage to the industry. Moreover, the implications of halal practice can create consumers’ trust on the halal product. Originality/value This paper fulfils an analysed need to study specifically on upstream parties by adopting HFSC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serpil Aday ◽  
Mehmet Seckin Aday

Abstract A pandemic is not a new event encountered in the history of humanity because mankind has faced various pandemics in history. The common point of pandemics is their serious negative effects on the global economy. Considering the food supply chain, one of the most important sectors of the economy, it has been seen that COVID-19 has an impact on the whole process from the field to the consumer. In the light of recent challenges in food supply chain, there is now considerable concern about food production, processing, distribution, and demand. COVID-19 resulted in the movement restrictions of workers, changes in demand of consumers, closure of food production facilities, restricted food trade policies, and financial pressures in food supply chain. Therefore, governments should facilitate the movement of workers and agri-food products. In addition, small farmers or vulnerable people should be supported financially. Facilities should change the working conditions and maintain the health and safety of employees by altering safety measures. Food protectionist policies should be avoided to prevent an increase in food prices. In conclusion, each country must realize the severity of the situation and sometimes should tighten or loosen the measures according to the spread of the pandemic. The supply chain also should be flexible enough to respond to the challenges in the food supply chain. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture and food sector and to summarize the recommendations required to reduce and control the effect of the pandemic.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document