Module 1: Fundamental Principles of Food Processing

Question 1

What is food processing?

Answer 1

Food processing is any deliberate change made in a food from the time of origin to the time of consumption.

Question 2

What are the main purposes of food processing?

Answer 2

The main purposes of food processing are food preservation and the production of value-added products.

Question 3

What are the reasons for preserving food?

Answer 3

Food is preserved to overcome inappropriate planning in agriculture, produce value-added products, and increase diet diversity.

Question 4

What is Food Loss according to FAO?

Answer 4

Food loss is the decrease in weight (dry matter) or quality (nutritional value) of food that was originally produced for human consumption. It occurs during food production and processing.

Question 5

What is Food Waste according to FAO?

Answer 5

Food waste is food appropriate for human consumption being discarded, whether after it is left to spoil or kept beyond its expiry date. It occurs during distribution and consumption.

Question 6

What is Dioscorine in Wild Tam (Dioscorea hispida) Tuber?

Answer 6

Dioscorine is a neurotoxin found in the Wild Tam (Dioscorea hispida) Tuber. It is used as poison for hunting and fishing, and it has pharmaceutical applications. Repeated washing, soaking in water and brine, boiling, and drying make the tuber edible.

Question 7

What are Cyanogenic Glycosides in Cassava?

Answer 7

Cyanogenic Glycosides are chemicals found in cassava, with the peel having a higher content than the flesh. Key steps to remove these chemicals include selecting the right variety, peeling, soaking, and washing. Continuous intake of HCN and a low iodine diet may lead to goiter. The body can detoxify HCN to thiocyanate to a limited extent.

Question 8

What is Lycopene?

Answer 8

Lycopene is a chemical found in tomatoes that is insoluble in water and tightly bound to fiber. Slicing, crushing, and heating the tomato increases bioavailability. Tomato paste contains 4 times more lycopene than fresh tomatoes.

Question 9

What is Ultra Pasteurization?

Answer 9

Ultra Pasteurization is a process in which food is heated to 138℃ (280℉) for about 2 seconds, making it free from Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.

Question 10

Who is Juluis Maggi?

Answer 10

Julius Maggi invented the Maggi brand of instant soups, bouillons, and seasonings. The brand was created to compensate for the lack of flavor and protein in the diets of working-class people in Switzerland.

Question 11

What are the benefits of legumes?

Answer 11

Legumes are high in protein, low in saturated fat, and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber. They are also a good source of micronutrients and phytochemicals.

Question 12

What are canned rice meals?

Answer 12

Canned rice meals are easy-to-open, portable, flavorful, and preservative-free meals that require simple reheating procedures. They are filling, safe, and Muslim-friendly. Canned rice meals are ideal for victims of calamity disasters and military personnel who have limited or non-existent cooking facilities.

Question 13

What is health and wellness in food processing?

Answer 13

Health and wellness in food processing involves improving digestibility, adding vitamin D to margarine to avoid rickets, and adding iodine to salt to avoid goiter.

Question 14

What is sustainability in food processing?

Answer 14

Sustainability in food processing involves efficiently utilizing resources to produce raw food materials and ingredients, reducing postharvest losses, increasing the use of by-products, reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, and considering centralized food processing operations versus smaller local facilities.

Question 15

What are the important points to consider in preserving food?

Answer 15

The important points to consider in preserving food are the desired level of quality, the length of preservation, and the target group.

Question 16

Name some processed foods that can be preserved.

Answer 16

Some processed foods that can be preserved are canned tuna, beans, and tomatoes, pureed baby foods, frozen fruits and vegetables, and soups from canned vegetables or broth.

Question 17

What are some examples of mixtures of combined ingredients that can be preserved?

Answer 17

Some examples of mixtures of combined ingredients that can be preserved are packaged instant potato mix, rice cake mix, jarred tomato sauce, spice mixes, dressings & sauces, gelatin, and ready-to-serve canned and condensed soups.

Question 18

Name some examples of ready-to-eat foods that can be preserved.

Answer 18

Some examples of ready-to-eat foods that can be preserved are breakfast cereals, flavored oatmeal, crackers, jams & jellies, nut butters, ice cream, yogurt, garlic bread, granola bars, fruit chews, cheese breads, rotisserie chicken, luncheon meat, honey baked ham, cheese spreads, fruit drinks, and carbonated beverages.

Question 19

What are prepared foods/meals?

Answer 19

Prepared foods/meals are food packaged to stay fresh and save time, such as prepared deli foods & frozen meals, entrees, pot pies, and pizza.

Question 20

What is food security?

Answer 20

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Question 21

What is nutrition security?

Answer 21

Nutrition security exists when secure access to an appropriately nutritious diet is coupled with a sanitary environment, adequate health services and care, in order to ensure a healthy and active life.