Importance of food quality

Food Standard and Quality Control

Lesson 01 : Food Quality

Importance of food quality

  • Quality is the ultimate criterion of the desirability of any food product. The overall quality of a food depends on the nutritional and other hidden attributes, and sensory quality as assessed by means of human sensory organs. The absence of the nutritional qualities and possible presence of food toxins and chemical additives will affect the quality of food which in turn may harm the food consumer.
  • For a food manufacturer the quality of raw material is very important as the end product quality entirely depends on it. For example red colour of tomato is a desirable quality to prepare tomato ketchup.
  • The rapid urbanization and stretching the urban services beyond their limits, lead to inadequate supplies of potable water, sewage disposal and other necessary services. This scenario further stresses the food distribution systems, as greatly increased quantities of food need to transport from rural to urban locations in an environment that is not conducive to hygiene and sanitation. The foods thus transported may be subjected to contamination at various levels and subsequently the quality will be affected.
  • Consumption of foods containing undesirable substances and microorganisms may lead to diseases frequently referred as food borne diseases.
  • Outbreak of food borne diseases is a common occurrence in both developed and developing countries and has been termed as the most widespread health problem in the contemporary world and an important cause of diminished economic prosperity.
  • In developing countries, food borne diseases continue to be a serious health hazard and an important cause of morbidity and mortality.
  • In addition to physical suffering, loss of work output, earnings, cost of hospitalization and loss of food are socio-economic consequences of food borne diseases.
  • Controlling the quality of food at national and global level is essential to safeguard the human health.
Index
Previous
Home
Next
Last modified: Thursday, 16 February 2012, 10:44 AM