VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

• Some environmental impacts of waste and effluents derived from the agricultural and food processing industry are inevitable. Their composition is extremely varied, depending on both the nature of the product and the production techniques employed, resulting in various pollution effects of the different food processing industries. There are, however, certain characteristic of particular food processing industries as described above. Which may be useful in evaluating pollution factors and as consequence, in applying appropriate treatment operations for environmental protection objectives.
• Generally, attention must be placed on minimization of waste through advanced manufacturing practices and constructive utilization of what is unavoidable by recycling and bioprocessing of by products and waste into edible food, feed, fuel and chemicals with industrial application in order to prevent pollution and minimize the effects of effluents on the environment.
• Research work that will help the entire agricultural and food processing industry identify , develop and implement new and better systems for producing high-quality and economical foods with reduced adverse effects on the environment and better utilization of the raw materials, is urgently needed.
• In our time of environmental concern, much greater efforts are required to solve the problems of air emissions, water discharges, and too much waste. No doubt, appropriate technologies, techniques processes and treatment methods are available to a great extent for the different types of the food processing industry. However, further environmental related research is needed to evaluate.
• The qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the solid, liquid, and gaseous by-products and waste, as well as the extent to which they are released to the environment
• The environmental media into which they are discharged
• The qualitative and quantitative environmental impact of waste and by-products from the food processing industry.
• The available techniques for waste recovery and reutilization, and effective methods for waste bioconversion and upgrading in order to minimize environmental pollution.
• Improved packaging technologies to reduce the quantity of solid waste and environmental impact, thereof,
• Alternatives to toxic chemicals used in agricultural and food processing operations, and
• Policy and authority options which should be aimed at controlling and strengthening existing environmental regulations, or even posing stricter requirements.
• Last but not least, increased efforts should be concentrated to motivate of the consumers, producers, and authorities to conserve energy, water and raw materials, and to minimise the generation of waste materials by re-utilization and upgrading techniques, and in consequence, to prevent pollution of the environment.