The western food industry in the developing world

In Featured Posts, Food Versus Fuel by Prof

We have been discussing how the food industry can play an important role in addressing the world hunger problem.  Food scientists certainly know how to preserve foods and reduce spoilage and waste.  Food scientists know how to develop pasteurization and other technologies to make sure foods and beverages are safe.

One concern of some nutritionists, however, is that some food companies may also view the developing world as just another market.  As noted in this 2016 article, the authors suggest that globalization, urbanization, and technological progress may lead to many of the same Western diseases that afflict the developed world.

In other words, they ask, does the introduction of salty snack foods or sugary beverages really improve the lives of the intended populations?  They contend that sales of highly processed foods in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East grew at rates 25 – 30 times that of North America.  Soon they predict, obesity will be a problem, even while malnutrition remains a serious problem.

It will certainly be a challenge for people in developing countries to avoid western diet temptations.  Otherwise, it will be just one more case where the cure is as bad as the disease.