Thanks to digitalization, all or almost all sectors are experiencing a moment of revolution, and the food sector is no different. Technology is, infact, playing a vital role regarding the redesign of food production, distribution and consumption. it is essential to understand its crucial role, since it is more and more involved in our daily life.
Emerging technologies in the food production sector
The way in which we produce food is changing. Thanks to Internet of Things, automation, blockchain and big data,the efficiency, safety and traceability of the production chain are improving in an exponential way. Thanks to this, it is now possible to monitor and optimize each and every phase of food production, guaranteeing ever greater qualitative standard and ecological, economical and social sustainability.
Digital purchase experiences and food retail’s innovation
E-commerce conquered each retail sector, including the food one. Technologies such as augmented reality are transforming shopping experiences, allowing them to be more innovative, customized and efficient. This reflects a change in people’s consumption trends: we choose more and more to buy online, for practicality and convenience, but it also testifies the momentum towards sustainability and inclusion of which technology is being one of the major promoters.
Customized nutrition and health monitoring
Eating is also synonymous with taking care of one’s own health. Digitalization of the food sector is revolutionizing this field, allowing more people to have a healthier lifestyle in a simpler way. Applications, wearable devices and sharing platforms are more and more popular, and allow people to be aware of their lifestyle and, consequently, to be able to change it to make it more healthy. In this field, data analysis, hopefully through artificial intelligence, plays a key role in providing customizable and accessible solutions to promote healthy and sustainable nutrition and lifestyle habits.
Sustainability and traceability of the food supply chain
Sustainability is a priority, obviously also in the digitalization of the food sector. Whether economic, social or environmental, this is a fundamental aspect to which technology can and must make a significant contribution. Blockchain, for example, allow to monitor the food production process in each phase, guaranteeing source and quality. This way, not only waste is reduced, but a greater trust between produces and consumers is promoted.
Opportunities to leverage
Opportunities and challenges are ubiquitous when we talk about digitalization in the food sector. From improvement in the production and sustainability, to innovative shopping and consumption experiences, the way in which we interact with food, a fundamental aspect of our daily life, is being redesigned. It is obvious that digital transformation will keep playing a vital role in shaping the future of the food sector, by promoting innovation, sustainability and wellbeing.