Abstract

PRIETO, Miguel; MOUWEN, Joanna María; LOPEZ PUENTE, Secundino  and  CERDENO SANCHEZ, Ana. The concept of quality in the food industry.. INCI [online]. 2008, vol.33, n.4, pp.258-264. ISSN 0378-1844.

In the industrialized societies of the first world, the increasing demand for food of quality by consumers requires the food industry to produce food that not only meet the nutritional needs, but are also safe, appetizing, and healthy. There is also a growing concern in consumers about the welfare of food animals, and the impact that production, processing and distribution of food generate on the environment. These facts determine that the market changes its driving force and orientation, rewarding quality over quantity, and the food industry modifies its aims and focus from production targets towards preferential attention to consumer demands. The governments, consumers and, obviously, the industry, are increasingly aware of the influence of primary production stages on the final food quality and safety. Therefore it is important to define what is meant by quality in relation to food as well as its application in the food industry.

Keywords : Alimento; Calidad; Control; Seguridad Alimentaria.