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Food processing refers to any method of converting fresh foods into food products. 1 This can include one or more of the following processes: washing, chopping, pasteurisation, freezing, fermenting, packaging, cooking, and many others. Traditional (heat treatment, fermentation, pickling, smoking, drying, curing) and modern methods of food processing are used (pasteurisation, ultra-heat treatment, high pressure processing, or modified atmosphere packaging). Some of the most common methods are listed below:

Canning 

The food has been thoroughly heated. This is known as pasteurisation. The food is then packaged and stored in an airtight can. Check out our infographic on the steps involved in the production of canned tomatoes.

Fermentation 

Under anaerobic conditions, the breakdown of sugars by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms. This means that no oxygen is required for the process to occur (apart from oxygen present in sugar). Fermentation is most commonly used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and cider, as well as the preservation of foods such as sauerkraut, dry sausages, and yoghurt, but it is also used in the production of bread dough.

Freezing 

To reduce the activity of harmful bacteria, food temperatures are reduced to below 0°C. The method can be used to preserve most foods, including fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and ready meals.

Modified atmosphere packaging 

Inside a package, air is replaced by a protective gas mixture that often includes oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen – gases found in the air we breathe. They aid in the preservation of fresh food products, most notably fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products, and seafood.

Pasteurisation 

To kill microorganisms, food is heated and then quickly cooled. Raw milk, for example, may contain harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. It is critical to boil it (at home) or pasteurise it (on a large scale) to ensure that it is safe to consume. Pasteurisation is widely used in the preservation of canned foods, juices, and alcoholic beverages, in addition to dairy products.

Smoking 

A method of preserving food through heat and chemical treatment by exposing it to smoke from burning materials such as wood. Smoked foods are typically meats, sausages, fish, or cheese.

Additives 

Food additives play an important role in the preservation of processed foods’ freshness, safety, taste, appearance, and texture. Food additives are added for specific purposes, such as ensuring food safety or maintaining food quality during a product’s shelf life. Antioxidants,

For example, prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid, whereas preservatives prevent or slow the growth of microbes (e.g. mould on bread). Emulsifiers are used to improve the texture of mayonnaise and to prevent salad dressings from separating into oil and water.

Wheat and corn, for example, are not edible in their natural state. Milling and grinding techniques turn them into flour, which can then be made into breads, cereals, pasta, and other edible grain-based products. Depending on the level of processing, there are three types of flour; choose wholegrain whenever possible. In our “Gain on Grain” infographic, you can learn more about the journey of grain to bread. By removing harmful microorganisms, processing improves or even ensures food safety.

Pasteurisation, airtight packaging, and the use of preservatives are the main methods. Processing and packaging technologies contribute to meeting modern time constraints by providing a variety of convenient foods such as ready meals, bagged salads, sliced and canned fruits and vegetables that require little preparation and can be consumed “on the go.” A healthy diet includes a variety of nutritious foods from various food groups, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and cereals (preferably wholegrains), proteins, dairy, and healthy fats.

Most foods consumed today have been processed to some extent, but not all processed foods are the same. Fruit canned in fruit juice, for example, is a better choice than fruit canned in sugary syrup. Processed foods, when chosen carefully, can thus be incorporated into a healthy and balanced diet.

Less processed foods, such as frozen fruits and vegetables, provide valuable sources of nutrition while also being more convenient and less expensive. Chopped, frozen, and canned foods in natural juices (fruit) or water (veg or fish) are thus good alternatives for busy people who don’t have time to shop for or prepare fresh produce.

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