Taking into account the environmental impact, at the local and regional level, the
control and elimination of the emission of noxious odors in the food-processing
industry is one of that industry’s most diffi cult problems. The problem normally is
exacerbated not only because of the multiple ways in which it can be approached,
but also because, in spite of many efforts developed, there still is no universally
accepted way to address its solution.
The complexity of the issue of off-odors and the necessary multidisciplinary
expertise entailing a rigorous approach is the reason this chapter is neither extensive
nor intended to represent, even at an introductory level, an odor management
guide for the food industry. The scope is to strengthen the necessity to
reconcile aims, methods, collaborative attitudes, and efforts; to thoroughly outline
strategies and tactics of scientific, technological, political, and legal interventions;
and to explore the continued improvement and consistency of effective
global and integrated actions that will lessen the general environmental impact,
including odor emissions, of the food-processing industry. Whenever possible,
the main concepts, principles, and fundamentals of a few mentioned suggestions
to odor abatement or control will be mentioned and a list of bibliographic references
will be provided.