Laboratories Serving the Food Industry: What's Ahead?

摘要

More than 200 laboratories provide testing and other services to the food industry. What laboratory services do food processors use? What trends are occurring? What will the future bring for food contract laboratories? Faced with advances in computer and instrument technology, laboratories will increasingly become more automated in both equipment and data handling. Robotic instruments and autosam-pling units are now commonplace in laboratories and this trend will continue. Demand for food products considered part of a healthful lifestyle will result in more analysis of fortified products, natural products, and other healthful foods. With the growth of computer networks and technology, the desire for faster delivery of data will increase, and electronic data transfer of lab results will become commonplace.