Environmental Issues with Food Manufacturing. Tasks •  Food Solutions Chapter 16. Case Study 16.1 •  Food Solutions Chapter 16, Questions 1-10 •  Checkpoints questions,

Environmental Issues The production of any food item uses energy and water and generates significant waste. This puts enormous pressure on resources in the world and communities now and in the future Sustainability is…

Water Use

� A very significant resource in the production of food (34% of all water used by industry Is used in the manufacture of food) ◦ Added as an ingredient ◦ Washing and preparing raw foods ◦ Cleaning and sterilizing of equipment ◦ Cooling processes ◦ Agriculture (not part of manufacturing)

Water Use But…Fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce.

•  Water treatment and the costs of disposing waste water are high.

•  The community expects sustainable practices and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from companies.

Sustainable Water Use So, the planet's water resources must be better managed. That is, use less, and use it more efficiently. Kraft Foods has been doing just that, and its efforts are paying off..

http://www.kraftfoodsbetterworld.com/betterworldHome.html#progress

The Port Melbourne plant reuses production process water and optimize clean-in-place systems for manufacturing equipment. Port Melbourne is working to find new uses for wastewater.

Sustainable Water Use What are other strategies a food manufacturer could

implement to be more sustainable with water?

Add some of these to your list…

Energy Use �  Food production requires energy- from

electricity, gas or coal. �  Using any of these resources adds to the carbon

footprint and the emission of greenhouse gasses. �  Energy is used through; ◦  Processing machinery ◦  Refrigeration ◦  Lighting ◦  Heating/Cooling of storage space ◦  Transporting food along the supply chain

Case studies in Australian Business

Read and Discuss: What are some energy efficient and sustainable practices that some companies have adopted?

The Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program is a merit-based grants program to support Australian manufacturers to

maintain competitiveness in a carbon constrained economy. This program provides grants for investments in energy efficient capital equipment and low emission technologies, processes and products.

Food Waste Waste products resulting from processing the fruit most often end up in landfill. As the waste breaks down, it creates methane, a green house gas. This gas has an unpleasant odour when released into the atmosphere. It also leaches into the soil and can contaminate the ground water. Landfill areas also attract flies and vermin.

Reusing solid Food Waste for renewable energy production Converting solid waste to the production of biogas can minimise the impact of waste on the environment.

Reusing solid Food Waste for the production of other food products At times fruit waste can be used to create new products such fruit pastes, jams and sauces.

Practice Exam Question- 2013 During the production of the new mango slices snack pack, Hilltop Homestead will generate a considerable amount of food waste, such as discarded mango peelings. 1.  Describe one environmental concern that

is associated with the production of food waste by Hilltop Homestead. 2 marks

2.  Outline one strategy that Hilltop Homestead could implement to minimise the impact of its waste material on the environment. 1 mark

Practice Exam Question- 2012 When producing corn tortillas in the factory, the food manufacturer must consider the environmental issue of the use of energy. 1.  Explain how the use of energy during

the manufacture of tortillas can have an impact on the environment.

2.  Describe one strategy for reducing the environmental impact of the use of energy during the manufacture of food.

Practice Exam Question- 2011

Energy use, water use and the production of waste are all environmental issues associated with food manufacturing, including fruit juice. 1.  Select one of the environmental issues

listed above and discuss the way in which food manufacturing can have an impact on the environment.