NATURE DOES NOT EXCLUSIVELY "DO GOOD"
Modern plant breeding techniques are used to develop new varieties with reduced levels of undesirable compounds. Some foods can cause problems for people with food allergies. However, allergen free plants can be bred only if the allergy-inducing proteins (allergens) have been identified. Genetic engineering is used to produce allergens in amounts sufficient for scientific analysis, and modern molecular biology and medicine have taught us much about their properties. For example, we know that they can survive for a long time in the hostile environment of the digestive tract. There are still technological constraints to allergen removal, but this might be one of the most promising developments in plant biotechnology: Scientists have bred varieties of rice that are low in allergenic proteins. The goal is to produce varieties that contain none of the predominant rice allergens and thus accommodate even hypersensitive consumers. Suitably adapted wheat, rye or barley varieties would also benefit people suffering from coeliac disease.
SPARING AND SAFE
In addition to plant breeding efforts to remove or introduce specific traits into food, other new techniques and improved processing methods ensure that valuable nutrients are preserved. The immense technological progress in food manufacturing is particularly evident in the area of quality standards and safety.
Today, many food companies operate world-wide, from the sourcing of raw materials or ingredients to marketing. Safety requirements are of global significance along the whole food production chain. From harvest of the raw materials to storage of processed food products in the home, a key concern is suppressing the growth of unwanted organisms that may spoil food. Meeting safety standards while maintaining organoleptic quality is a challenge that can be met only with sophisticated technological efforts.