This Brief concerns the influence of chemistry in the modern food and
beverages industry. The world of traditional foods has been soundlessly
but increasingly interconnected with the chemical industry in the last
century. Different areas are considered in a multidisciplinary approach:
- the production of chemical additives and of non-food components
needed in the food industry (e.g. packaging materials)
- the regulatory perspective of the whole food production chain
- commercialization of food commodities
- the problem of food safety from the viewpoint of official auditors
with medical or veterinarian competencies
- new and emerging risks related to food packaging materials
- the assessment of the authenticity of edible products.
This Brief includes different viewpoints, ranging from the management of
allergens and food additives in the food plant to the complex matter of
the formulation of traditional products with the consequent production
of "alternative" versions of the same food.