Science fiction becomes reality

The Dutch Food Industry Journal is turning 25. We started the journal with the title "Vleeswetenschap" (Meat Science), later changed it to "Vakblad Vleesindustrie" (Dutch Meat Industry Journal), and we have been the Dutch Food Industry Journal for the past ten years.  A lot has changed in that time: technology that is now commonplace was science fiction back then. The internet was in its infancy. On 4 January 1997, the following appeared in Trouw: In its current form, the internet will collapse, according to computer experts (...) Microsoft owner, Bill Gates, simply stated that the internet will fall short this year: "It can't live up to the high expectations (...)" 

We went from Meat Industry to Dutch Food Industry, a name change triggered by a vague yet developing trend at the time. This was because eating meat, even though it had always been an important part of our diet, was periodically being questioned and discussed. Since then, it has even come heavily under criticism: the ecological footprint of meat is too high according to many scientists. New sources of protein are being sought out across the globe.

"Reducing our ecological footprint"? Who would have even mentioned that 25 years ago?
In Davos, where the global elite gathered to discuss the future of the world at the end of January 2018, the topic had high priority on the agenda. There was also heated discussion about the development of the data economy and in particular, how to rein in the power of tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Of course, the intention is to do this without damaging their innovative strength, because they also develop many positive things as well. For example, imagine the possibilities in our sector for blockchain to serve as a solution for better transparency in the chain.

A film that is currently playing in cinemas with an inventive solution for reducing the ecological footprint is "Downsizing", which is proposed an answer to "the impending ecological disaster." Science fiction? Perhaps that will be reality in 25 years! No one could imagine at the time of Meat Industry's first edition that the internet, smartphones, and social media would become such a substantial component of our lives or that something like 3D food printing would ever exist. Keep innovating: nothing is impossible.

Judith Witte
 
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