Rapid industrialization and continuous mechanization of the food industry
have increased waste production which is a source of various kinds of contaminants
especially emerging water pollutants (EWPs). The industry of food (agriculture and
processed food) and packaging industry are major sources of these emerging pollutants.
Agrochemicals are also a source of pollutants which are contaminating the food chain
and underground water. The dairy and meat industries are source of excess antibiotics,
lactating hormones, medicines (via exudates and effluents), animal fats, acids, sludge,
organic compounds and persisting chemicals in meat and milk. The food processing
industry can also contribute various pollutants, like dyes, preservatives, sanitizing and
disinfecting agents, as well as alcoholic and phenolic residues from the beverage and
wine industries.The food packaging industry is also a major source of food
preservatives, dyes, glue, and non-recyclable/one-time-use materials (plastic and
polystyrene), which can be broken down into micro/nano plastics leading their way to
water reserves and ultimately to the human food chain. Effluents of the food and
packaging industry are rich in organic material and can support the growth of various
pathogenic bacteria and fungi which can become a source of EWPs and can
compromise human health that’s why comprehensive information about these
pollutants is needed. Keeping in mind all of these aspects present draft is compiled.
This chapter covers various aspects of emerging water pollutants released from food relevant industries.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.