Internet of Things (IoT) is defined as the network of devices that gather and convey data via the Internet. Slowly, but surely, the Food industry is getting acquainted with the Internet of Things. With the number of remarkable applications of the Internet of Things the food suppliers, processors, and retailers are experiencing good opportunities for operational as well as financial augmentation in their food businesses.
the IoT network in the food supply chain greatly aids to trim down waste, costs, and risks
Each functional area of the food industry has been significantly getting better with the integration of IoT. For an instance, IoT facilitates food companies to ensure superior levels of traceability, food safety and, therefore accountability all through the farm-to-plate supplies chain operations. Moreover, the IoT network in the food supply chain greatly aids to trim down waste, costs, and risks as well, in all stages of the procedure.
Apart from this, the list of benefits offered by IoT technology in the food industry is quite long; consequently, the impact is also extremely impressive.
Let’s check out some imperative aspects describing the grand consequence of IoT in Food Industry:
Better Food Safety
The implementation of the internet of things (IoT) in the food industry has been considerably diminishing the risk of food illness epidemic. Different kinds of sensors are being used to monitor essential production state, shipping time and most essentially the temperature. The utilization of real-time temperature tracking sensors allows organizations to closely supervise food safety data points, ensuring effective cold chain management.
With IoT, the supply chain will be able to function jointly to become acquiescent with global and local regulations. Automated Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) checklists are being used throughout the manufacturing, production, and transporting procedures thereby companies can get access to meaningful and consistent data that enable them to put into practice some food safety solutions.
With the help of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transmitters and GPS systems, the distribution chain can be effectually monitored all along the whole storage and shipping course at the sales points or stores. This also enables companies to be acquainted with the preferences of customers, better reply to market requirements and decrease surpluses.
The advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking provides supreme visibility into the food supply chain, helps automate delivery and shipping processes and effectively monitors and controls temperature. It also enables shippers to track a location of the product with GPS. By collecting the meaningful data, shippers can estimate performance in a number of regions including understanding customer behaviour to diminishing deadhead miles in truck fleets.
Supply Chain Transparency
Generally, consumers or buyers expect transparency from the agencies that they purchase from. Employing traceability and transparency throughout the global supply chain will aid food agencies to succeed in business by acquiring customer loyalty and trust. Even though international and domestic regulations can amplify the intricacy of the global food supply chain, IoT technology can make it convenient for both companies and consumers to track products.
Further, transparency incorporates some added benefits for companies including improved inventory management, cost savings, and faster lead times. Businesses can obtain such benefits by identifying and solving incompetence in the supply chain, exceeding and meeting food safety regulations, and offering transparency to customers.
Production and Storage
Sensors can significantly help to perk up quality control, products tracking, workers’ activities, and taking advantage of real-time analysis for production. Sensors persistently inspect the colour and specks throughout flour production, which helps to immediately rectify any inaccuracy. Moreover, sensors gauge the moisture content along with protein or cash content and allow real-time optimization of the production procedure.
As per the report of food and agriculture organization of United Nations, nearly one-third of human food production is wasted globally each year. This not only results in money loss but also tend to damage our surroundings by growing carbon gas in the atmosphere. IoT technology makes it possible to effortlessly monitor the state of all food products and send the real-time information to the assigned individual, which decreases food wastage.
Addressing Issues in Faster Way
Since we know that most of the maintenance is preventive or reactive but not predictive therefore by employing remote equipment monitoring we can foresee issues ahead of their occurrence thereby saving your money and time as well.
With the availability and enlargement of the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions & Services, the food industry is experiencing some key transformations particularly in terms of trends in food safety. Food manufacturing agencies can leverage the IoT technology to keep up the highest quality standards with the assurance of having the same product, with the similar higher quality at any time and anywhere.