Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects that uses connected or embedded sensors, software and actuators that controls and monitors the environment. It is used for connecting and exchanging the data with other devices and systems over the internet. This technology automates all your daily activities and keeps the people moving. The IoT technology enables automated home, the connected car, smart cities and wearable technologies and many more. Global data forecasts global IoT market to reach $1.1 trillion in revenue by 2024. IoT from now onwards in the next few years will completely take over the food and beverage industry and it is already evolving.
The food industry is a highly dynamic industry where the Internet of Things (IoT) can create real value for businesses that are involved in the different aspects of the food and beverage industry. This food industry is a highly evolving industry when combined with IoT helps the companies to achieve high levels of food safety and cuts down any food wastage across the different stages of food processing and packaging.
One of the main goal of the food and beverage industry is to deliver a high quality food to consumer that depends upon the food storage factor. The food quality also depends upon factors such as storage, humidity levels and appropriate temperature are some which determines the quality of the food. A proper monitoring of food quality and service equipment and maintaining quality are some of the reasons due to which the perishable dairy products can be stored for long number of days.
In the following blog, we shall focus and discuss an impact of IoT in food industry, applications of IoT in food industry and how IoT can be implemented in the food industry.
Impact Of IoT In Food Industry
Some of the important impacts that IoT has on the food and beverage industry:
Improved Food Safety
Food safety has always been a major concern in the food manufacturing industry and is prioritized highly by most of the food businesses. The most proactive issue that raises question on food safety is the contamination of food. As a result of this, food and beverage industry has been paying attention to the food safety. Food and beverage solutions enabled by IoT helps the companies to remain flexible with all their safety regulations. Some ways through which IoT technology enables the food safety and security:-
There are different kind of monitoring sensors that are utilized for monitoring the production state, monitoring temperature of containers and shipping time. Monitoring sensors helps in monitoring the temperature of container in which the food is stored. This ensure that food products are stored in a suitable environment.
The sensors gathers the required data that helps the staff to perform the mandatory food safety inspections and and helps in advice potential issues or violations.
The real-time temperature tracking sensors allows the organizations to closely monitor food safety and assures active cold chain management.
In food and packaging and food industry, the sensors are linked to a supply-chain-wide-network. It helps in performing investigations with the trace and track process that reduces time and effort that are involved in it.
Streamlined logistics
Food and beverage logistics can use IoT technology in their operations and such solutions can help the team of food industry to track inventory in real time. It also helps to automate shipments based on requests. There are GPS systems and other transmitters that can easily monitor distribution chains effectively. The companies with the help of these sensors it can decrease the food waste, address the customers and market requirements. The RFID tracking technology tracks the food supply chain that enhances the visibility and automates the delivery and shipping processes. It definitely controls and monitors the storage temperature.
It permits the shippers to track the product’s location with GPS. The purposeful data is collected that helps in estimating the performance that determines the customer’s overall behavior.
Smarter and More Efficient Operations
IoT in the food industry helps you to achieve operational efficiency that is used by every company in that are dealing in the food and beverages. It is easier to increase operational efficiency by increasing the integration workflows and reduces the manual processes. Use of IoT has boosted an automated retailing and minimizes the operational cost as vending machine system that identifies issues in relation to food or beverage and predicts user behavior. It also removes all outdated food on time and sends notifications or alerts for replenishing the machines.
Transparent Supply Chains
The global food supply chain needs to be implemented in such a way so that it’s easily traceable and transparent. This helps to gain customers loyalty and establishing trust between the business and consumers. IoT helps in tracking the entire process food supply or products in a much convenient and effective way.
Energy Savings
The appliances used by restaurants that has induced IoT technology that helps in tracking the energy usage and reduces the associated costs. The older kitchen appliances used to consume more power and energy and also has the risk of breakdown is high with the use of such appliances. The food or restaurant business have started using Energy Management Solution (EMS) that collects, analyzes and shares data by using assets that helps in saving power and energy.
Applications of IoT in the Food Industry
- Management of industry equipment
The IoT devices can be utilized in solving problems related to the kitchen equipment. This helps in saving time and capital expenditure on the equipment for their regular maintenance. - Smart Refrigerators
IoT technology facilitates and improves the refrigerator and storage condition which is important for the food industry. IoT improves temperature conditions that makes refrigerator fit for storing even the perishable products. Different types of food material requires a particular temperature for their purpose of storage. IoT shall help in keeping the nutrient value of the food intact along with it’s aroma and taste. IoT can be used storing different types of food items that requires different food temperature to retain the nutrient value of the food. - Stock management
The IoT helps in keeping a track of all the stock kept in kitchen. The IoT apps are installed on phone which manages the stock of the kitchen in various food industries and restaurants. The management of food stock is done by linking the devices with IoT that notifies the industry. - Reduce energy consumption
IoT reduces the use of energy and saves time. If an oven is accidently left on or on operating mode and the food item is taken out then the oven gets off automatically due to sensors. - In oven designing
The internet of things (IoT) helps in controlling the temperature of the oven. IoT in oven prevents any overcooking and damage of food in oven. Any sensors that are fitted into the device can notify the person in charge about the condition of the food. - Food safety regulations
IoT enabled sensors and the recorders help in ensuring the premium quality of the food. Thus, helps in achieving quality regulations set up by different organizations and institutes. - Data analytics report
The internet of things (IOT) tracks the data and records of the restaurant. This gives priority to the person in charge about the information and feedback. - Give an update related to customers
IoT technologies update the users regarding the customers behavior and demands.
Ways To Implement IOT In Food Industry
There has been too many advancement in technologies and one of them is Internet of Things (IOT) devices. The IoT connected devices is used for collecting and storing huge amount of data about the things like temperature, humidity. Some of the top most ways through which IoT technology can be implemented into the food industry:-
- Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance is a very popular IoT application that is used across the food industries. The IoT system is meant for collecting data and for analyzing data and information and for tracking and storing the different variables. It is relation to given piece of machinery like operating temperature, timing and vibration. Some preventive maintenance systems shall shut down the machines that are about to fail and reduces the chance of causing any injuries to employees. It definitely reduces the cost of machinery maintenance. - Provide Remote Access
One of the biggest benefits of digital and IoT-powered systems is that they can provide staff with remote access to critical systems, even if they aren’t on-site. - Reduces Waste
IoT technology can be implemented in such a way so that it reduces the level of food waste. The IoT sensors can be implemented in such a way in pallets so that it tracks two pieces of information like time and temperature. These two components helps in preventing food from getting wasted. IoT technology can identify any food wastage, water wastage that helps in saving money and reduction in use of resources. - Improve Food Traceability
There has been a tremendous growth in the food traceability market. It helps in food production and supply companies track and communicate how their food was grown and where. Introducing IoT helps the companies in food production and supply and communicate how their food was grown and where. This also boosts the confidence of the buyers as they know where their food comes from.