Food technologies and public health / Y. Motarjemi ... [‎et al.]‎

Overview

Health technologies may be divided into those for curative and preventive purposes. In the latter group, a number of food technologies play a fundamental role, and one which unfortunately is not always recognized in public health circles.

Food technologies play a pivotal role in improving the nutritional quality of food, ensuring its safety, and preventing foodborne disease. They reduce losses due to spoilage or contamination, and are thus vital in the prevention of malnutrition and starvation.

Food technologies also have important socioeconomic implications. They facilitate and promote trade in food, provide employment for a large section of the population, facilitate the work of women in preparing the family's food, and give them the opportunity to participate fully in social life. They increase the consumer’s pleasure and provide a greater choice of products.

The role of food technologies in life and health is broad. This paper describes the nature and extent of foodborne diseases and highlights the contribution of food technologies in their prevention.