Food companies usually face challenges associated with ensuring food quality and safety. There have been many reports of food poisoning and other food-related incidents, like heavy metal and bacterial contamination, that also posed a concern to the public, the government, and food businesses.
With the advent of modern technology, food businesses can deploy innovative, state-of-the-art solutions to prevent food-related incidents. Read this quick guide on the Internet of Things (IoT) for food businesses to learn more.
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What Is The IoT?
The IoT refers to a vast network of interconnected smart devices, such as sensors, processors, communication hardware, and embedded systems, capable of exchanging data over the Internet.
Unlike traditional computers like laptops and servers, IoT devices are designed to connect to the internet and other devices seamlessly and automatically, enabling them to share information and coordinate their activities without human intervention.
Information technology (IT) experts can help manage IoT technology. You can visit Exigent Technologies or similar companies to learn more about these managed IT services.
Benefits Of The IoT For Food Businesses
Below are the important benefits of IoT for food businesses.
Streamline Cold Chain Management And Logistics
The IoT for logistics ensures the freshness and quality of foods from long-distance travel. But logistics in the food industry faces challenges, including handling higher volumes, maintaining quality standards, and complying with government regulations.
Spoilage of perishables is one of the main problems that cold chain systems face, which the IoT can help resolve. Logistics managers can use temperature sensors on rail cargo, air cargo, trucks, and other transportation modes for delivering food products. These sensors collect and share data in real-time for food businesses to have full control over their products’ in-transit condition.
For instance, active cold chain management involves using a defrost control board. Traditional defrost control boards control temperature based on time intervals. But modern, energy-efficient options respond according to temperature or environmental conditions, enabling real-time auto-correction, which is made possible by the IoT.
Improve Food Safety
Just recently, a company that manufactures ready-to-eat sandwiches, wraps, salads, and yogurt recalled their products because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This microorganism can cause serious infections in people with weak immune systems, including young children and the elderly.
Food companies can use IoT devices to ensure their products are free of contaminants. With the IoT, food manufacturers can view and use real-time food safety data, including heavy metals, carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, and cold chain storage conditions.
Reduce Operational Expenses
In the past, food companies were greatly dependent on the human workforce. But the IoT changes the monitoring of food products to reduce operational expenses. Moreover, IoT devices can minimize mismanagement, improper packaging, and theft incidents, saving money from associated expenses.
For instance, pizza restaurants can use IoT technology by integrating smart sensors. If an electric oven is in operating mode or accidentally left on, the appliance takes out the pizza because of the embedded sensors. As a result, the pizza restaurant can save money from burnt pizzas. Moreover, the IoT device alerts the manager or owner about the incident for future corrective action.
Reduce Food Waste
Food waste is a social and business concern, causing supply chain and business resource management issues. The United Nations reported that one-third of human food production is wasted or lost globally annually. Aside from food consumption waste, food supply chain problems generate tons of food waste every year.
The IoT can help address food waste problems using centralized cloud-based tracking devices. Food companies can integrate IoT devices into their business systems to make intelligent management decisions.
For instance, if exported mangoes from the Philippines encounter a temperature problem during shipment, the food company can reduce their shelf life to deliver them to end-consumers before they spoil.
Related: How to Reduce Food Cost in Restaurant Management
Tips When Adopting IoT Technology For Food Businesses
It’s time for food businesses to embrace IoT technology to reap its amazing benefits—convenience, cost-reduction, and food safety.
Here are some helpful tips when adopting IoT tech for your food business:
1. Identify Your IoT Needs
Review your current food business workflows and processes to determine your IoT needs. For instance, you probably have some systems in place to monitor the temperature in your cold storage, and they just need upgrading. IoT technology can improve your storage conditions by automatically regulating the refrigerator’s temperature without compromising the food’s flavor and aroma.
Meet your team and ask for their feedback, suggestions, and recommendations. Your frontline employees are the best information resource to determine what aspects of your operations need the IoT.
2. Know IoT Device Features
One of the best features of IoT devices for food businesses is the data analytics report. The IoT tracks and records a food business’s data for prompt reporting and feedback monitoring.
Furthermore, other important things to look for in IoT devices include privacy and security features, such as user permissions and stringent login authentication without compromising ease of use.
3. Consult IoT Experts
Startup food companies can consult IoT experts to help them determine the best devices suitable for their business operations. IoT experts are often also IT experts. Choose one with years of experience installing and maintaining IoT devices and systems. Managed IT services can help startups and experienced food business owners deploy IoT solutions.
Examples Of IoT Devices In The Food Industry
Below are some examples of IoT devices for food businesses:
- IoT sensors embedded in pallets for monitoring temperature and calculating shipping times.
- IoT-based smart food storage for preserving food products in a nutritional environment
- IoT temperature sensors for recording freezer and fridge temperatures
- IoT food monitoring systems with wireless sensor units to evaluate critical environmental parameters, like gas, humidity, and temperature
As years pass, the development of IT devices will continue to grow. Food companies can keep up with the tight business competition by using IoT devices and other relevant technologies.
Conclusion
The IoT is a highly beneficial technology in the food industry. From harvesting raw ingredients and production to packaging and cold chain logistics, IoT technology plays an important role in ensuring food quality and safety. Food companies can also embrace the IoT to improve their business image, gain more customers, and boost product sales.
