What Is the Impact of Food Production Technology on Communities?

Technologically advanced food production comes with both pros and cons.

Advances in food production technology can be useful in many ways. Higher volume, efficient production and safer practices are all benefits. Large communities can benefit from these advances, but smaller ones may find drawbacks.

Positives

For larger communities, technological advances in food production can provide benefits in the economy. New factories mean new jobs. In addition, high-tech food is subject to more stringent regulations regarding food safety.

Negatives

Many proponents of sustainability frown on mass-produced food. Their criticisms center around the fact that buying food that is mass-produced elsewhere hurts the local economy. Another negative is that many people have an aversion to additives and preservatives and prefer to know exactly what is in their food.

Misconceptions

Both sides of the argument have valid points, but there are counterarguments. Locally produced, artisan food is safe, because growers are held to local health code regulations. Additives used in high-tech food factories are monitored by federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, which allows such use only if the additives are generally recognized as safe.

References

• IFT: Public Policy and Regulations
• Sustainable Connections: Why Buy Locally Owned?