Food and Beverage

Food and Beverage Blog

Scientific career paths
23 Oct, 2023
We explore career paths and salaries for five common scientific jobs: chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, quality, research and development.
Edible insects
21 Nov, 2022
Emerging food technology represents a massive growth opportunity across a wide range of industries. We take a look at some of the key trends and opportunities for businesses and job-seekers alike.
Science diet
26 Apr, 2022
From man-made meat to edible insects, here are the science and technology focus areas that will present significant growth opportunities for organisations.
Food meals
18 Jan, 2022
Here, we look at the five major trends set to shape the food and beverage industry in 2022.
By Bayside Group 13 Sep, 2021
The plant-based meat industry has skyrocketed in recent years, but now Food tech companies are going one step further.
Worker at meat processing factory
By Bayside Group 07 Jun, 2021
Here are a few of the calls to action that WHO is encouraging everyone involved in the food supply chain to consider this World Food Safety Day.
consumer attitudes for future success for food and beverage brand
By Bayside Group 19 Apr, 2021
Here are five key consumer drivers that are predicted to aid food and beverage organisations prosper in the new normal.
Basket with food
By Bayside Group 10 Jan, 2021
With dramatic changes to consumer sentiment, here are five predicted trends in the food and beverage industry in 2021.
The health risks associated with sports supplements
By Bayside Group 09 Aug, 2019
For so long, the sports supplement industry has been an unregulated place. Dressed up in beautiful packaging and promoted by health and fitness gurus, these supplements often come with the promise of improving performance, reducing weight or building muscle. The recent boom in popularity of these products however has brought them under the spotlight, and it seems their claims aren’t all they’ve cracked up to be.The health risks associated with sports supplements ๏ปฟ This realisation – along with the increase in consumer demand – has prompted many companies within the industry to carry out greater research on sporting supplements and call for tighter regulations. The industry is not heavily regulated There are a wide range of products that fit within the category of sports supplements, which range from over-the-counter vitamins and supplements, to human growth hormones and anabolic steroids. One of the biggest issues that has faced this industry is the lack of regulation. While patients often require a pharmacist or doctor to prescribe pharmaceuticals, sport supplements can be recommended by people in the industry without any specific qualifications or documentation. From a manufacturing perspective, the industry has also not been heavily monitored. This means that manufacturers haven’t necessarily had to make sure the products are fit for use. Many of these products can also be purchased online from international producers, so while they may not have been tested or approved in Australia, they are still accessible. When the products arrive in a consumer’s mailbox, they may not list the ingredients or associated side effects that may occur from prolonged use. This poses a huge range of health risks, from allergic reactions through to contamination or unwanted aftereffects. Even products like protein powder, which are typically considered the ‘safest’ and most widely consumed supplement have been found to contain dangerous chemicals like arsenic, mercury and pesticides. Consumers face serious health hazards This lack of regulation has come with several risks, with products containing that can have significant side effects, like derivatives of the drug ephedrine that can place the heart under stress. This ingredient can sometimes be found in products that claim to aid weight loss . Other products may contain large amounts of protein or creatine, which can raise blood urea in individuals. Some sport supplements may even contain substances that are banned in professional sport, like anabolic steroids, putting consumers’ sporting ambitions at risk. For example, research found that about 20% of nutritional supplements sold in Europe and the USA contains anabolic steroids. These can also have significant long-term side effects including sterility and liver injury. Changing Tides Globally, the sports supplement industry is now valued at $82 billion, with consumption of these products skyrocketing in recent years. So much increased interest has brought new attention to these products, resulting in calls for tighter regulations from health professionals. Furthermore, this newfound information has created a more discerning public, who take more care in the health companies in which they place their trust and the products they consume. This has left the market open for health and sports supplement companies who make the health and wellbeing of their customers their top priority. Many of these are squeezing their predecessors out of the market, and have a focus on providing consumers with products that contain safe and legitimate ingredients that have been given the tick of approval by experts. As this area of the supplement industry grows, there will no doubt be greater research undertaken and a larger movement towards companies that have a focus on providing trustworthy products that contain safe consumable ingredients. If you’re looking for more information about careers in the food technology industry, partner with an agency that has been recruiting science and technical professionals for more than 25 years.
By Bayside Group 23 Jul, 2019
Recently, eight varieties of milk were recalled in Victoria and New South Wales amid fears that they may have contained food grade dairy cleaning solution. Incidents like this often come at a significant cost to the manufacturer. They bear not only the cost of recalling contaminated products, but also reputational damage for the brands involved. ๏ปฟ While contamination isn’t incredibly common, this recent milk recall proves it can happen. The risks however, can be mitigated by putting the right procedures and people in place. Contamination can occur anywhere in the production process There are many reasons why food can become contaminated. Contaminants can originate from raw materials or occur during the production or transportation process. When raw materials or even finished products are stored alongside other products there is also the risk of cross-contamination. The types contamination that can occur can also vary depending on the type of materials or products involved and what they’re exposed to. In some situations, like in the recent milk contamination, dangerous chemicals may inadvertently be mixed with food products. While in other cases, one food product may contaminate another, which could be life threatening for people who have allergies. One of the most common causes of contamination are avoidable procedural errors that occur in the laboratory. This is because laboratories are often busy environments with multiple personnel working on different products at the same time, so the opportunity for cross-contamination to occur through shared equipment – or simply working in close proximity to others – is high. Prevention is better than recall It is always best to put in measures to prevent contamination from occurring all together, rather than relying on a recall of products. By putting in place good aseptic techniques and maintaining a safe lab environment you can ensure the risk of contamination is minimised. Laboratory staff play a crucial role in this process. Some things that laboratory staff can do to mitigate these risks include wearing clean lab coats, washing their hands regularly and using proper aseptic techniques. They can also ensure the lab design is optimised, consistent cleaning procedures are in place and equipment is properly calibrated. Experienced laboratory professionals understand the importance of these procedures and often know how to put in place processes to reduce risk. They may be able to identify risks in lab design or cleaning processes, for example, and identify opportunities to improve procedures to minimise contamination risks. It always pays to have qualified, engaged staff who understand the importance of following procedures that minimise contamination. To find the right people to help you protect your products, partner with an agency who understands what skills your business needs.
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