Product traceability technology improvement in restaurants expected by 2020

The restaurant industry will develop a more comprehensive and planned response to safety/security incidents through product traceability technology.

A new report called “National Restaurant Industry 2020,” composed of a panel of industry experts assembled by the National Restaurant Association predicted an improvement in product traceability technology is expected for a more comprehensive and planned response to safety/security incidents.

The panel predicts a greater emphasis on quick reference codes, computer tablets, kiosks and video menu boards that can give consumers instant nutrition information.

The report also states that the “healthy” eating trend will continue to grow in coming years.

A greater emphasis on product quality and fresh food, with fresh produce options expected to be become more plentiful are some of the most likely developments in food and menus by 2020. Local sourcing of food will increase, benefitting from a more productive and integrated supply chain, the panel reported.

On childrens’ menus restaurants will become more creative in putting healthy items on the menu so healthy eating trends will continue to grow, according to the report.

“Chefs will collaborate with culinary schools and suppliers to increase the availability and accessibility of dishes that may not have been available a decade ago,” the report says.

“Social media, e-mail and text messages will allow operators to better customize marketing to individuals, offering specials coupons that will appeal to that person’s particular tastes and interests,” according to the report.

The panel said that social responsibility will loom larger by 2020, with water conservation at restaurants expected to be an area of increased focus.