General Mills Using Cloud Computing to Stop Hunger in Africa

Recently, I came across an article about General Mills and it's efforts to ease hunger in different parts of Africa.  General Mills has decided to partner with various for-profit and non-profit entities to teach African farmers new techniques in order to increase their productivity.  In order to communicate with the farmers in Africa, General Mills utilizes a cloud database where information on equipment and techniques are stored.  Cloud computing was used to allow General Mills to teach Nyirefami, a flour company in Tanzania, how to install a quality control lab and improve washing and pre-drying operations.  This service allowed Nyirefami to drastically increase its productivity and attain the highest certification for food quality in Tanzania.  In Zambia, General Mills teamed with COMACO and Cargill to assist a local farmer who cares for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS.  As a result, the farmer- Veronica Banda, has had an easier time providing for the children in her care.  General Mills efforts are a great example of corporate philanthropy, and it shows how developments in technology can be used to improve living standards, productivity, and food quality.

Food World News

General Mills Uses Food Technology to End Hunger in Africa

Technoserve

Genetically Engineered Salmon: Would You Buy It?

Over the past couple of months a debate has been brewing about whether genetically engineered salmon should be allowed on the market.  A company called Aquabounty has been raising Atlantic salmon that have been altered with genes from Chinook salmon and a sea eel.  The genetically altered salmon can reach adult size in almost half the time that traditional salmon do.  This new salmon has raised a few ethical and business oriented questions.  Traditional salmon producers argue that this new salmon will hurt an industry that is already struggling.  Since the genetically altered salmon reach maturity faster,  Aquabounty will be able to put out more salmon at a price that will likely be more competitive than what traditional salmon producers can offer. 

 Food safety advocates question the FDA's finding that the genetically altered salmon is safe for consumption.  These activists argue that the new salmon needs to undergo further testing before it reaches markets.  They also say that the salmon should have a label that indicates it is genetically engineered.

This last measure is also up for debate.  Certain genetically engineered foods, like corn, do not have to have labels indicating that they are altered.  However others, like soybeans, do.  Aquabounty's salmon would be the first genetically altered animal offered in the marketplace.  Aquabounty would likely fight labeling for its genetically altered salmon.  So far the FDA has not indicated that it would require a label on the new salmon indicating that it is genetically engineered.

This leads me to the question: Would you buy salmon that was labeled as genetically altered?

Sources: 1) Genetically Engineered Salmon Nears FDA Approval (12/28/12)
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/genetically-modified-frankenfish-nears-fda-approval-debate-heats/story?id=18078157

2) Genetically Modifed Salmon May Surface Soon in the Marketplace (2/11/13)
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/11/genetically-engineered-salmon-may-hit-the-market-soon/

Introduction

Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog!  On this blog I will be looking at stories and trends in technology that will have an effect on the food industry.  Advances in technology, especially information technology offer many opportunities for companies involved in food production and sales to make their businesses more profitable and to improve their products.  Topics that will be discussed in the blog include: IT use in business operations, technology use in food production, technology in the resturaunt industry and culinary arts, and technology used to improve food safety and availibility.