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Food Processing and Waste Within the Nexus Framework

  • Nexus of Food, Water, Energy (R Mohtar, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to present the challenges and potential solutions regarding the food manufacturing industry and waste production within the WEF (Water, Energy, and Food) nexus framework. Prevention and recovery solutions to alleviate waste from food producing (farm), industrial/retail (processing), and consuming (consumers) are considered.

Recent Findings

Breakthroughs in food processing have focused on water reuse by treatment and decreasing waste in order to minimize water use. Solutions for farm waste recovery have been employed by feeding animals and compost.

Summary

There are opportunities and risks to use waste as a resource that leads to reduced water and energy usage from farm to table. New technology could help farmers, processors, and consumers benefit from waste by means of better management. Reduced waste of food and water also leads to improved environmental conditions and sustainability, but updated best management practices are needed to minimize risk (both economic and health).

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Texas A&M WEF Nexus initiative.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, 311 Scoates Hall, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Elena Castell-Perez

  2. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, 303 Scoates Hall, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Carmen Gomes

  3. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, 306 Scoates Hall, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Jeffry Tahtouh

  4. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, 310 Scoates Hall, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Rosana Moreira

  5. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Eric S. McLamore

  6. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Hal S. Knowles III

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  1. Elena Castell-Perez
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Correspondence to Elena Castell-Perez.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Nexus of Food, Water, Energy

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Castell-Perez, E., Gomes, C., Tahtouh, J. et al. Food Processing and Waste Within the Nexus Framework. Curr Sustainable Renewable Energy Rep 4, 99–108 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-017-0079-z

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