approach to food production. Some of these technologies include: • Cell-cultured meat: This technolo- gy involves cultivating real meat cells in a lab, which reduces the need for large-scale animal farming and its as- sociated environmental impacts. • Plant-based meat alternatives: These products are made from plant proteins like soy, peas, and wheat, which offers a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat. Food waste is a significant global challenge with environmental and economic consequences. Fortunately, technological solutions are emerging to address this issue. Technological solutions for waste reduction include: • Smart Packaging: This technology uses sensors and indicators to moni- tor the freshness of food products, ex- tending shelf life and reducing waste. Smart packaging integrates innova- tive technologies and eco-friendly ma- terials. • Blockchain Technology: Block- chain enables companies to track food products from farm to fork, im- proving transparency and reducing food waste by identifying inefficien - cies in the supply chain. FOOD WASTE REDUCTION Vertical farming consists of crops that are grown in vertically stacked layers, offering numerous sustainability ben- efits. It maximizes land use, conserves water, reduces pesticide use, enables year-round production, and increases climate resilience. OTHER INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES • 3D Food Printing: This technology allows for the creation of customized and personalized food products, re- ducing food waste and enabling the use of alternative ingredients. It offers a sustainable solution to food produc- tion by reducing food waste, promot- ing plant-based alternatives, and opti- mizing resource use. • Biodegradable packaging: This VERTICAL FARMING
type of packaging breaks down natu- rally, reducing plastic pollution in the environment. CASE STUDIES Walmart Walmart has been a leader in sus- tainable sourcing and packaging. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce waste, conserve energy, and source more sustainably. For exam - ple, Walmart has committed to sourc- ing 100% of its seafood sustainably and has made significant progress in reducing plastic packaging. Walmart provides an example of innovative new technologies aiding sustainability. The retail giant has a machine learning system called Eden that checks for defects in fruits and vegetables using photographs. Eden also relies on thermometers and sen- sors that monitor conditions while the produce is in transit. Any items that show signs of ripe- ness get sent to the nearest locations, where they can sell more quickly be - fore they start spoiling. Eden has saved Walmart $86 million so far by eliminating the amount of food the company has to throw out. Projections suggest that Eden will save Walmart $2 billion more in the next 5 years. Tyson Foods, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the world’s largest food companies, has reached an agreement for a two-fold invest- ment with Protix, the leading glob- al insect ingredients company. The agreement supports the growth of the emerging insect ingredient industry and expands the use of insect ingredi- ent solutions to create more efficient sustainable proteins and lipids for use in the global food system. The agree - ment combines Tyson Foods’ global scale, experience, and network with Protix’s technology and market leader - ship to meet current market demand and scale production of insect ingre- dients. Tyson Foods is also focused on le- veraging technology to reduce water and energy consumption in produc- tion processes, investing in renewable energy sources, and adopting waste reduction strategies. The company is also utilizing technology to monitor animal health and well-being in real time, developing innovative housing
and feeding systems to improve ani- mal welfare. Through these initiatives, Tyson Foods aims to reduce its en- vironmental footprint, improve food safety, enhance animal welfare, and contribute to a more sustainable food system. CONCLUSION The food industry, which is a signifi - cant contributor to GHG emissions, is experiencing a transformation driven by technological innovation and con- sumer demand for sustainable prod- ucts. Technologies, such as precision agriculture and alternative protein sources to food waste reduction and vertical farming, are revolutionizing the way we produce, distribute, and consume food. Optimizing resource use, reducing waste, and adopting more sustainable practices, the food industry can mitigate its environmen- tal impact and ensure a more sustain- able future for generations to come. Companies like Walmart and Tyson Foods are leading the way by imple- menting innovative technologies and sustainable practices, demonstrating that a sustainable food system is not only possible but also economically viable.
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SUSTAINABILITY OUTLOOK 2025
PHOTO: ENVATO
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