In recent decades, the food industry has undergone an unprecedented revolution thanks to advances in food processing. These innovations have not only transformed how we produce and consume food, but have also brought significant benefits to our diet, such as greater safety, better preservation and healthier options for consumers.
However, the term “processed” does not always enjoy a good reputation. It is often confused with ultra-processed foods, which are products with low nutritional value and high levels of sugars, fats and additives. It is essential to differentiate between healthy processed foods and unhealthy ultra-processed foods to understand how these technologies can improve our diet and well-being.
The benefits of food processing
Food processing encompasses a wide variety of techniques designed to improve the quality, safety, and shelf life of food. Technologies such as pasteurization (a thermal process that eliminates pathogenic microorganisms in food and beverages through controlled heating), freeze-drying (a dehydration process that removes water from a product through freezing and subsequent direct evaporation), and high-pressure packaging (a preservation technique that inactivates microorganisms and enzymes in food by applying extreme pressure, without the need for heat or additives) have allowed food to be more accessible and safer for a greater number of people.
- Increased food safety: Processes such as pasteurization or thermal sterilization eliminate pathogenic microorganisms, reducing the risk of food-borne illness.
- Extended shelf life: Preservation technologies such as rapid freezing or modified atmosphere packaging help maintain the properties of food for longer, avoiding food waste.
- Improved accessibility and sustainability: Freeze-drying and dehydration allow food to be transported to remote regions, preserving its essential nutrients.
- Optimizing nutritional value: In some cases, processed foods are fortified with vitamins, minerals, or health-promoting compounds. For example, calcium-fortified milk or iron-fortified cereals contribute to a more balanced diet.
Examples of beneficial food processing
A good example of the advances in healthy processing is the development of probiotic foods, such as yoghurts and fermented drinks, which promote intestinal health. Another notable case is the use of technologies such as extrusion, used to produce healthy snacks with a high fibre or protein content and low in fat.
In addition, advances in hot air dehydration and freeze-drying techniques have made it possible to create dehydrated fruits and vegetables that retain most of their nutrients, making them a healthy and practical alternative for daily consumption.
It is important not to confuse beneficial processing with ultra-processed foods, which are industrial products that usually contain a high proportion of artificial ingredients, such as colourings, flavourings and preservatives. These foods are usually high in calories, low in nutrients and associated with health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The key is to assess what type of processing a food has undergone.
Cultivated meat: an example of a new advanced production system
Advances in processing technologies have also led to disruptive innovations, such as cultivated meat. Although its production involves advanced techniques, its development is based on a natural process of cell growth, similar to that which occurs in the body of any living being. In this way, it clearly differs from ultra-processed foods and joins other healthy food production strategies.
This product, developed by obtaining animal cells cultured in a controlled environment, is similar in many ways to healthy food processing. Just as pasteurization improves the safety of milk without significantly altering its composition, cell culture of meat seeks to offer a high-quality, sustainable and safe food for consumption.
Towards a healthy and sustainable future
In the current scenario, advances in food processing and development are paving the way to a future in which consumers can enjoy safer, more nutritious and sustainable foods.
As consumers, it is essential to be informed and choose options that contribute to a healthy diet. Assessing the positive impact of food processing allows us to enjoy a balanced and responsible diet.
Food development, when used with a focus on health and sustainability, is a powerful tool to improve our quality of life. The key is to differentiate the positive from the harmful and to opt for foods that add well-being to our daily lives.
