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This book gathers the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the fields of agricultural biotechnology, agro-food systems and forestry, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the 7th International Conference on Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food Systems (SHWA), held in Ragusa, Italy, on September 6–9, 2023. The papers cover a range of topics such as agricultural assistive technologies, machine milking, animal welfare, sustainable livestock farming, work organization and logistic in agro-food supply chain, agricultural instrumentation and equipment, safety and health in building, agriculture 4.0, automation, occupational health, precision farming, effect of landscapes on human health, environmental safety, rural health, agricultural machinery, ROPS, augmented reality and IoT, cyber security. The contributions included in the book were selected by means of a rigorous peer-review process and offer an extensive and multidisciplinary overview of interesting solutions in the field of sustainable agriculture.

This book delves into the specific subject area of life sciences, focusing on the remarkable world of millets and their multifaceted contributions. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to the diverse aspects of millets, addressing their biology, significance, functional potential, and applications. The content in this book is divided into two distinct sections, Section I contains the detailed introduction to the Millets, their biology, classification, applications, and various types (major, minor, and pseudo millets) and Section II contains their safety, extraction, industrial applications, and SDG goals. This book is not only an asset for professionals and experts but also a readable guide for Academicians and advanced students looking to engage with this ever-expanding subject area. The book is a boon for entrepreneurs in the area millets, as they will get the complete comprehensive information about all the different types of millets with their biology, functional potential and processing.

Functional food technology aims to boost consumer well-being by providing health benefits beyond that of fundamental nutrition. Meat and meat products have numerous disease-preventing and health-promoting benefits. However, the meat industry has faced many new challenges since the World Health Organization (WHO) studies suggesting that small increases in the risk of several cancers may be associated with high consumption of processed meat. In addition, consumers often associate meat with a negative health image. This negative image of meat is mainly due to fat content such as saturated fatty acids and cholesterol and process induced toxicants like N-nitroso compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the alliance of these with chronic diseases. In this context, the functional food concept applied to meat processing has gained importance, especially by reduction/replacement of fat, sodium, nitrites, reduction of process induced toxicants and addition of beneficial components such as probiotics and bioactive compounds. Hand Book of Processed Functional Meat Products provides meat industry professionals with a step-by-step guide to post-mortem muscle chemistry, functional and cultured meat products-design and development, bioactive compounds, reduction of carcinogenic compounds, application of enzymes and nanotechnology, innovation in sensory assessment, authentication and marketing, 3D printing in the development of meat based products and regulatory and consumer challenges in functional meat products. This book differs from other publications on functional meat product processing in that it offers comprehensive coverage and in-depth discussion of the most recent scientific and technological applications in functional meat products. Many meat science and technology books available on the market describe meat chemistry, properties and basic science with only a rudimentary understanding of meat processing, functional meat products development and applications. Therefore, this work will be helpful for food industry professionals, policy makers, researchers, students, teachers and nutritionists and dieticians for a complete and up-to-date overview of functional meats processing and quality evaluation.

The book provides information on the sources of arsenic contamination of groundwater and their impacts in the first part of the book consisting of 8 chapters. Process developments such as nano-adsorbents for removal of arsenic and other heavy metals are discussed in the second part of the book that comprises of 4 chapters. The third part of the book includes 4 chapters on technological interventions for the removal of arsenic such as indigenous ceramic membranes and Subterranean Arsenic Removal (SAR). The fourth part of the book deals with arsenic contamination in food materials and food chain systems, and consists of 5 chapters. Arsenic has long been associated with a variety of health complications in the human body. In order to address this, a chapter on arsenic contamination and impacts on human health has been included in the fifth part of the book. The book would be a valuable reference material for the scientific community in developing countries working on community water supply and treatment, food safety, public health and policy.

Health and wellness foods, snacks and beverages are of increasing importance to manufacturers as consumer interest in healthy lifestyles and the demand for healthier products and services continue to escalate. Transparency of the supply chain, traceability of the ingredients and processing methods and sustainability are the major concerns for modern consumers. Incorporating new ingredients with traditional products is an important strategy for the food industry to reformulate healthier and value-added foods, with the heart of health and wellness food products being flavoring ingredients, which deliver food and drink formats tasting just like the beloved original food products. To meet the growth of health and wellness food products in the market, new opportunities for flavor suppliers will include flavor raw materials and their applications in food products. Flavor-Associated Applications in Health and Wellness Food Products focuseson flavor and its application in health and wellness food products. The first section comprehensively covers the role of flavor in health and wellness products, while the second focuses on flavoring labels, ingredient suitability and safety with specific case studies. Further sections focus on sugar, fat, salt and alcohol reduction, flavor solutions for plant-based protein, flavor perception and direct health benefits. With no book on the current market focusing on health and wellness foods from a flavor perspective, this work is a valuable single source for product developers, manufacturers and researchers in need of a comprehensive summary of key recent developments regarding flavor-associated applications in health and wellness food products.

The book deals with the regulation of GMOs within the context of multiple principles and interests, including food security, sustainable development, and biodiversity. The recognition of intellectual property rights, particularly with respect to geographical indications and patentability is also discussed. From a comparative perspective, the importance of traceability in the food industry, driven by major world powers'consumer and market protection policies, is highlighted. Finally the use of emerging technologies, such as blockchain, as a form of'regulatory technology'for more effective and sustainable management of traceability systems within the food supply chain, is explored as a workable and forward looking solution.

This textbook deals comprehensively with livestock production diseases and their prevention in the major species: ruminants, swine, and poultry. It gives an interdisciplinary view on pathophysiology, prophylaxis, and health management.Livestock breeding and husbandry is often accompanied by a conflict of interest between the animal´s biological requirements and economic producer needs. This conflict is increasingly gaining attention not only by producers, animal scientists, and veterinarians, but also by the public. It creates significant future challenges, which are described and addressed in this book. The main topics covered are: •the use of antimicrobials with emphasis on security and safety for producers/consumers•the impact of locomotion disorders on performance and welfare of farm animals •the interactions of gut microbiome, genetics, climate change, metabolic status and mineral homeostasis with reproduction, performance, animal health and welfare•infectious and respiratory diseases•the raising of neonatesA special section is devoted to behavioural signs indicating an impaired animal welfare. These are the basis for precision livestock farming (PLF) technology and the development of new management concepts. The present work is a valuable resource for veterinarians, students, as well as expert readers from animal and agricultural sciences, food safety and technology. Supplementary videos can be accessed online as well as directly from the print book; simply download the Springer Nature More Media App for free and scan the links with the play button.

Pollen is made up of many chemical constituents such as proteins, sugars, lipids, minerals and phytochemicals. These components make pollen products an excellent source of nutrients and antioxidants for consumers. However, mycotoxigenic fungi are also common in pollen, creating contamination from generated mycotoxins. With adequate monitoring, sampling, processing and storage of pollen the development of mycotoxins can be significantly prevented. Since pollen grain has strong membranes which can limit the bioavailability of some nutrients and phytochemicals, novel methods and pretreatments are required with special emphasis on microbiological pretreatment methodologies. Pollen Chemistry & Biotechnology summarizes current knowledge of the chemical composition of pollen, its importance as a functional food ingredient and its health promoting properties. As Introduction part a short elaborate about botanical characteristics and data, including morphology and anatomy of pollen and bee preferences, is given. Important factors such as the botanical and geographical origin, best practices for preservation of nutritional composition, bioactivity and safety of pollen are covered in full. The nutritional profile of pollen based on data for minerals, lipids and nutrients is presented. A detailed phytochemical profile of pollen based on data for phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins, bioactive compounds is also covered. Areas for the improvement of the bioavailability of different nutrients and bioactive compounds of pollen via applied pretreatments are presented, as are best practices for adequate pollen collection, procession and storage in order to obtain safe products. At the end, an overview about pollen bioactivity as reason to use it as source of pharmaceuticals is made.

​Coconut is an important economic crop widely cultivated in island and coastal ecosystems in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Emerging trends in biochemical characterization have highlighted the nutraceutical and nutritional importance of coconut and its products. However, the short shelf life of these products seriously restricts their market potential. Coconut beverages such as coconut water, inflorescence sap and coconut milk have numerous health promoting nutrients, although the highly perishable nature of coconut beverages and products causes significant post-harvest losses. Conventional thermal technologies implemented by the coconut processing industry affect the heat sensitive nutrients and create a negative impact on the color and flavor profiles of the products. Producers have been looking for an efficient alternative to thermal technologies, although most of the emerging non-thermal technologies such as cold plasma, ozone, pulsed light, UV-light, pulsed electric field and high-pressure processing are in lab scale. It is important to understand the practical application of these technologies at industry scale. Also, it is important to analyze the influence and application of these emerging technologies on the quality profile, safety and shelf-life extension of the products. The adulteration rate in coconut products has been increasing along with their prices, making it vital to understand the application of non-destructive tools for authentication. Preservation and Authentication of Coconut Products: Recent Trends and Prospects offers comprehensive coverage on the application of emerging technologies in coconut and coconut-based products. Present industrial technologies for coconut products and their impact on quality are covered in full, including technologies for each specific product and their challenges and prospects. Non-destructive tools and applications for the quantification of bioactive components and authentication are also explored. This book serves as a one-stop reference for researchers, food technologists, food industry specialists and nutritionists looking to understand the implications of emerging food processing technologies on the quality of coconut products.

This book is an analysis of policy and law governing the development, approval, manufacture, distribution, marketing and post-market surveillance of human drugs, medical devices, foods and cosmetics in Mainland China (“China FDD Regulation”). It analyzes the policy and general principles behind China FDD Regulation, including the history and jurisdiction of the central and local agencies that administer the laws and regulations, the administrative law structure in which these agencies operate, and other aspects of FDD Regulation interpretation and enforcement. Although it describes practice in China, this book is written in the comparative perspective (i.e., sensitive to assumptions made by those who are steeped in FDD Regulation in the U.S., Japan, and the EU). It includes one chapter on each regulatory space (drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and food) organized by the lifecycle of products. It also covers subcategories of products, such as vaccines, radiopharmaceuticals, and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. The book includes specialty chapters on areas that are common to multiple types of regulated products, such as biosecurity and advertising. It is the first English language book of its kind, and it can serve as a resource for those in the FDD law and regulatory field to understand the mechanics of developing and marketing products, but also with insights for businesspeople and others, who are developing China-strategies.

This book discusses the recent advancements in chemical engineering and their role in achieving the United Nations'2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing these goals involves tackling intricate and interdisciplinary challenges.Chemical engineers have been diligently addressing a diverse array of issues across academia, society, and industry, with the aim of positively impacting these goals.The book offers essential insights and detailed analyses for each SDG. It explores the challenges encountered within various applications and proposes solutions based on foundational engineering principles. The book's content is tailored to professionals, students, and researchers across diverse fields, including engineering, environmental science, and biotechnology.

Sustainable Food System is a food system that delivers food safety & security as two key elements and nutrition for masses having impact on their social, economic, and environmental bases to generate nutritional food security for future generations shall not be compromised. Therefore, SFS targets the economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability and makes a robust system having expansive benefits for the society. This concept of Sustainable Food System under SDG Goals is such a vast concept that, it has been impossible to highlight all the concepts in one volume. Therefore, the Editor have compiled this voluminous, comprehensive and compendious approach as balanced and organized structure of work as: Sustainable Food System Volume I & II.The Sustainable Food System (Volume - I): framework, sustainable diets, Traditional Food Culture & Food production has a very comprehensive outline and divided in 4 major sections and further 24 different chapters. The book addresses both the theoretical and applied aspects of sustainable food diverse food systems A Sustainable Food System (SFS) is a comprehensive food system that targets the sustainable diets, traditional food culture with indigenous system and the overall food production on as well. All chapters in different sections will be written by key scientists with diverse backgrounds in either industry / R&D / academia, and will provide an update on emerging ideas and sustainable technologies as well as vision for the future. The 1st section: Sustainable Food System: concepts & framework primarily focusing on the Sustainable food systems, its conceptual introduction, framework and different concepts nationally & internationally. The 2nd section: Responsible consumption and sustainable diets deals with different aspects of nutrients sustaining health & sustainable diets. The 3rd section: Conservation and promotion of Traditional Food Culture, covers the conservation & promotion of traditional food cultures & their practices. The last & 4th section: Climate change and sustainable food production provide the current knowledge and innovative developments related to climate change, nutritional security & agronomic bio-fortification.

According to the global hunger index, South Asia has worldwide highest rate of undernourished people. Such a burden of food insecurity and various forms of malnutrition are directly associated with the existing food production system that ignores biodiversity, food affordability, and sustainability. During the last five decades, food production system has witnessed a global shift from ethnic to mainstream staple cereals production and promotion. Such an approach has badly affected the regional genetic pool of a diverse range of nourishing, economical, and sustainable edible plant species which are now referred to as neglected or underutilized food crops. Neglected Plant Foods of South Asia collects and preserves existing knowledge of underutilized, minor, wild, neglected and traditional food plants of South Asia, and their utilization for the production of value-added food products. Aiming at introducing plant – based food solutions to address the increasing burden of food insecurity among marginalized communities of South Asia, this manuscript covers a plethora of nutrient-dense plant species including fruits, vegetables, roots, tubers, cereals, pseudo-cereals, and pulses. In addition to having an overview of each plant's origin, cultivation practices and production statistics, researchers will find comprehensive information on nutritional composition, food manufacturing properties, value-addition and traditional uses of neglected plant foods. Recent updates on strategies to combat toxicological risks associated with the consumption of neglected food plants have also been included. With this volume, researchers will have complete information on neglected, underutilized traditional edible plants of South Asia, and their potential to increase food security under the emerging challenges of climate change.

Sustainable Food System has cutting-edge green & circular Technologies, food Safety & diversity that aims to provide quality and safe foods in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way. The book addresses both the theoretical and applied aspects of sustainable food diverse food systems. This concept of Sustainable Food System under SDG Goals is such a vast concept that, it has been impossible to highlight all the concepts in one volume. Therefore, the Editor have compiled this voluminous, comprehensive and compendious approach as balanced and organized structure of work as: Sustainable Food System Volume I & II.A Sustainable Food System (SFS) is a comprehensive food system and Volume II targets the Novel Sustainable Green Food Processing Technologies, Circular Strategies for Recovery & Valorization and the overall sustainable techniques for Food Safety & Food Diversity. The book has a very comprehensive outline, divided in 3 major sections and further 20 different chapters. All chapters in different sections will be written by key scientists with diverse backgrounds in either industry / R&D / academia, and will provide an update on emerging ideas and sustainable technologies as well as vision for the future. The Section 5: Novel Sustainable Green Food Processing Technologies primarily focusing on the novel green different food processing technologies in different food categories. The Section 6: Circular Strategies for Recovery & Valorization, deals with different circular strategies for valorization of the food products. The Section 7: Sustainable Techniques for Food Safety & Food Diversity, will cover the food safety trends and food diversities nationally & internationally.

This edited book provides an overview of existing and emerging gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) based methods for the authentication and fraud detection in all major food groups and beverages. Split in four parts, the book opens with a comprehensive introduction into the GC/MS technique and a summary of relevant statistical and mathematical models for data analysis. The main parts focus on the authentication of the main food groups (cereals, dairy products, fruit, meat, etc.) and beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, wine and beer). The chapters in these sections follow a distinct structure describing the nutritional value of the product, common fraud practices, economic implications and relevant biomarkers for the authentication process, such as volatile compounds, fatty acids, amino acids, isotope ratios etc. The final chapter provides an outlook on where the methodologies and the applications may be heading for. Food fraud is serious problem that affects foodindustries of all kinds, which is why food authentication plays an increasingly important role. This book aims to serve as a knowledge base for all researchers in academia, regulatory laboratories and industry employing GC/MS for food analysis. Due to its comprehensive introduction and consistent structure, it can also serve as an excellent resource for students in food science, food technology, food chemistry and nutrition.

This book focuses on Egypt as a representative example of emerging economies struggling to achieve their sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Egyptian government has launched Egypt's Vision 2030 in line with the 2030 Agenda, also known as the Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), which encompasses the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development. It is under the SDS that all development plans in Egypt are incorporated while at the same time being strongly guided by the SDGs. Aware of the principle of shared but differentiated responsibility, Egypt also recognizes that fundamental challenges remain, despite a strong willingness to achieve the SDGs. High birth rates, brain drain phenomena, water scarcity, migration, discrimination against women and girls, a growing informal sector and instability in neighboring states (especially Libya and Syria) are only some of the many hindrances to sustainable development.In order to address thesechallenges, Egypt relies heavily on the SDGs, which are aimed at transforming our world. Although there is an urgent need for a drastic change in the way we use the Earth, the question arises as to whether the SDGs are sufficient to facilitate such a transformation. This book explores the key environmentally related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and offers a cutting-edge assessment of current progress with a view to reaching these objectives by 2030. The book highlights some of the key findings and ideas for how research may help achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in enterprises. The book provides a useful framework that can help and aid the Egyptian government to assess the many goals and targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The analysis of Egypt can be used as a blueprint for other developing nations and globally in order to guide policy toward achieving the SDGs. Covering food security, water resilience, climate change, agronomics, rural life, environmental impact assessment as a tool for measuring the achievement of the goals, Egyptian education, the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural and societal dimensions, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainable development and climate change, as well as practitioners and policymakers involved in sustainable development and disaster management.

The Latin American region has been at the forefront in combating infections caused by Escherichia coli strains in humans, animals, and the environment. The continuous emergence and evolution of pathogenic E. coli strains associated with human and animal infections have demonstrated that (i) groups of related pathogenic E. coli are responsible for most infections caused by this bacterial species; (ii) diverse virulence phenotypes expressed during infection defined each one of these pathogroups; (iii) the geographical distribution of pathogroups in Latin America and the evolution of new isolates was defined by the dominant pathogroup and presence of distinct virulence strains; (iv) acquisition of mobile elements or accumulation of point mutations accelerate the development of antibiotic resistance in some of these strains. The Latin American Coalition for Escherichia coli Research (LACER), a multidisciplinary network of over seventy research groups in eleven Latin American countries and the USA, was established in 2009 to apply One Health principles in defining and combating this pathogen. The previous edition of this text, Escherichia coli in the Americas (c. 2016) was the culmination of their wisdom about E. coli, from its role as a commensal bacterium to its characteristics as a pathogen causing disease in animals and humans. This new edition presents recent advances and contextualizes all aspects of E. coli in a One Health perspective, from the environment, to animals, to humans. It addresses E. coli interactions with host microbiota, CNS, and phages. It includes cutting edge insights on hybrid strains, molecular mechanisms of virulence and pathogenesis, resistance, domestic and wild reservoirs, disease surveillance in Latin America, genomic analysis, food safety, and new therapies. Crucially, it also provides translations and analysis of key reports on Escherichia colipublished in Spanish and Portuguese. This book serves as a critical resource for scientists in industry and academia, clinicians managing associated infections, and trainees and students studying basic and clinical aspects of E. coli pathogenesis.

Ist die globale Nahrungsmittelproduktion ausreichend, um die Ernährungssicherung für alle Menschen zu gewährleisten? Und kann sie es auch in Zukunft sein? Welcher Zusammenhang besteht zwischen Landwirtschaft und Klimawandel? Wo liegen die Ursachen für Fehlernährung und in welchen Ländern herrschen Mangel oder sogar Überfluss? Ausgehend von der erwarteten Zunahme der Weltbevölkerung beschreibt dieses Fachbuch die derzeitige Ernährungslage, die Ernährungserfordernisse (Kalorien- und Proteinbedarf) und listet unterschiedliche Methoden auf, die den Grad der Unterversorgung bestimmen, wie z. B. den Welthungerindex. Daran anschließend wird der Selbstversorgungsgrad verschiedener Länder vorgestellt und die Gefahren und Chancen von Landgrabbing erörtert.Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf den Produktionsmitteln der Nahrungsmittelerzeugung und deren zukünftige Entwicklung: Boden, Klima, Wasser, Düngung, Pflanzenschutz, Mechanisierung der Landwirtschaft. Zudem werden wichtige pflanzliche und tierische Nahrungsmittel nach globalen Produktionsmengen vorgestellt sowie unterschiedliche landwirtschaftliche Produktionsmethoden beschrieben. Fachkräfte im Bereich der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, in NGOs, internationalen Organisationen und ernährungspolitischen Verbänden bietet dieses Fachbuch eine detaillierte Zusammenstellung an Zahlen, Daten und Fakten zur globalen Ernährungslage. Studierende der Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften erhalten Einsicht in die komplexen Zusammenhänge zwischen wirtschaftlicher und demografischer Entwicklung, Agrarsystemen und internationaler Ernährungssicherheit.

This brief outlines the state-of-art of the food industry within the Indian Sub-continent, providing a detailed insight into the current science of nutrition and industrial technology.The Hygiene, Integrity, Traceability and Sharing (HITS) strategy has been proposed recently as a coordinated and powerful tool to contextualize the plethora of different menaces for the food consumer. The book examines this approach from eight different perspectives, with a particular emphasis on the Indian Subcontinent. Topics such as food additives, the importance of water in the food industry, the use of antioxidants, and novel food preservation methods are used to illustrate these points of view.This book is particularly appealing as a guide for graduate and undergraduate courses covering food production, food safety, and the training of teachers working in these science areas.

Mycotoxins are the metabolites of fungus and are reported to contaminate nearly 25% of the food produced worldwide. The mycotoxins of most significance are the aflatoxins due to their severe health implications and their prevalence in food commodities on a larger scale. Aflatoxins are produced by certain species of fungi the most prominent among which are Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nominous. Food commodities of African and South Asian countries are especially reported to have aflatoxins well beyond the allowable limits but due to the global trade of food commodities developed countries are also prone towards the perils of aflatoxins. Moreover, climate changes may have a substantial impact on the distribution and global prevalence of aflatoxins in the near future.The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the aflatoxins as group 1 category carcinogen. Aflatoxins are also reported as teratogenic, mutagenic, growth retardant, immunosuppressant and may also cause nervous system and reproductive system disorders. Preventive approaches involving good manufacturing from “farm to fork” are the major focus of the current food industry.The aim of our book is to provide readers with the most recent data and up-to-date studies from aflatoxins research, with specific focuses on (i) the impact of aflatoxins on human health, (ii) new approaches by the researchers from different parts of the world to degrade aflatoxins and (iii) potential preventive approaches that can significantly lessen the burden of aflatoxins in food products

This book covers different aspects of biodegradable packaging, such as their sourcing and application in food industries. The book focuses on the production and characterization of biodegradable food packaging derived from plant, animal and microbial sources. Chapters highlight the nano-technological interventions in biodegradable food packaging and the less studied microbial biopolymer-based biodegradable food packaging makes it distinct from other related books. It includes the latest research and development in the areas of food processing, food packaging, material science and polymeric science. It also discusses the standards and regulatory guidelines about the biodegradability testing of these polymers.This book is meant for researchers in food science, food packaging, bioprocess technology, polymer science and biochemical engineering. It is also beneficial for faculty members and students of food microbiology, food technology, dairy technology.The book is also meant for small entrepreneurs and farmers who are interested in bio-plastic usage for food packaging.

This book compiles updated information about the role and health benefits of various bioactives in food. Different chapters are contributed by academicians, food scientists, technologists, and medical practitioners. The book addresses both theoretical and applied aspects of bioactive components and provides exhaustive knowledge about bioactive components. It comprises 27 chapters organized into 4 major sections covering topics in food science and technology, functional foods, and nutraceuticals. It provides perspectives for innovation, sources, applications, and sustainability in bioactive component research. The first section starts with introduction of bioactive components consisting of seven different chapters primarily focusing on the bioactive components and their sources with respective health benefits. The second section, comprising five different chapters, deals with different technological trends, regulations, and safety aspects of bioactive components. With eight chapters, the third section covers the role of bioactive components in human health and the role of functional foods in combating various health-related issues. The fourth section reviews functional foods through six chapters that cover the use of bioactive components in various food products. The book will prove useful to advanced food technology graduate and undergraduate students and research scholars, practicing food technologists in food and related industries, entrepreneurs, food-pharma researchers, and other scientists seeking information about smart and sustainable processes as well as information needed to design and develop these processes.

​Forecasts point out an exponential growth in the global population, which raises concerns over the ability of the current agri-food production systems to meet food demand in the long term. Such a prospect has led international organizations and the scientific community to raise awareness about, and call for, the need to identify additional sources of food to feed the world. From this perspective, insects qualify as a suitable and more environmentally friendly alternative to meat and other foods that are sourced from animal proteins. However, uptake of the production and commercialization of insects as food has been facing regulatory hurdles, consumer skepticism and rejection in many markets. This is particularly true in the context of western societies in which insects do not always constitute part of the local traditional diets.Production and Commercialization of Insects as Food and Feed: identification of the Main Constraints in the European Union analyses and discusses the regulatory state-of-the-art for the production and commercialization of insects as food and feed in the European Union. The EU has been taking concrete legislative steps with a view to opening up its market for insect foods, although some key regulatory constraints still exist today which ultimately prevent the industry sector from growing, consolidating and thriving. The main regulatory constraints in the EU for insects as food include the fragmentation of the EU market as a result of the adoption of different policy solutions by EU Member States for novel foods and the lengthy and complex authorization procedures. Also, ad hoc safety and quality requirements tailored to the needs and specificities of the insect food sector are currently missing.This work constitutes the first comprehensive overview of the evolution and current state-of-the-art of the regulatory framework for insect foods in the EU, based on a multidisciplinary approach that combines science, policy and law. It proposes a legislative roadmap which the EU should follow in order to make its regulatory framework fit for insect foods in the long term by providing a detailed comparison between the current EU legal framework and other regulatory systems of western countries with a view to singling out the markets which are better equipped to address the production and the commercialization of insect foods. The text provides an updated overview of the overall market and of European consumers'perspectives on the use of insect foods. With the proper legislative steps and consolidation, the EU can be a global leader for insects as food and feed both as a market and as a standard-setting body.

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology attempts to provide concise, critical reviews of timely advances, philosophy and significant areas of accomplished or needed endeavor in the total field of xenobiotics, in any segment of the environment, as well as toxicological implications. This Special Issue focuses on glyphosate.