Reforming Food Security and Safety: The Impact of Emerging Technologies

Introduction: Our daily life is significantly influenced by the technological advancements and the field of food production and safety has been no exception. The integration of new technologies has brought a paradigm shift in how we approach food security and safety. Bibliometric software can help academics, to analyze published results and insights, facilitate debates on hotspots and development trends in the study field, and promote academic collaboration. Aim of the Study: This article aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the trends in food security and food safety untill 2023. It seeks to identify emergent trends and assess their impact on the industry. Methodology: The study accessed data from Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions Analytics. Data visualization tools such as VosViewer and CiteSpace were employed to analyze document counts, keywords, research collaborations, disciplines, citations, and top-cited articles. Results: The analysis revealed that chitosan, phenolic compounds, edible coatings, and polysaccharides are increasingly used to enhance the shelf life of food. The highest number of articles published in 2023, totaling 2,041, focused on chemical spoilage. The study also found that in 2021, approximately 20,350 research and review articles were published on shelf life in food safety and security. In terms of recent trends, there were about 941,000 articles on automation, 3,600 related to nano-fertilizers, and 18,300 on Internet of things (IoT) in 2023. The United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom were identified as active contributors to research in these areas. Conclusion: The study concludes that technological advancements, particularly in hydroponics, IoT, vertical farming, edible coatings, and nano-fertilizers, are making a significant impact on enhancing food production and safety. However, there is a deficiency in the literature regarding the long-term effects of these technologies on human health and the environment, which warrants further research. The results underscore the importance of technology in advancing food security and safety, suggesting a promising direction for future innovations.