Food Tech Term 1

absolute poverty

The condition where individuals cannot afford basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) long-term, threatening survival.

EXAMPLE: Indigenous communities in remote WA relying on food charities.

EXAMPLE: Farmers in drought-stricken NSW facing bankruptcy.

EXAMPLE: Refugee families in Melbourne unable to access stable meals.

EXAMPLE: Homeless populations in Sydney lacking healthcare.

bush tucker

Native Australian foods (plants, animals, insects, seafood) traditionally harvested by Indigenous groups.

EXAMPLE: Kangaroo meat hunted sustainably in Central Australia.

EXAMPLE: Wattle seeds used in modern Australian baking.

EXAMPLE: Witchetty grubs consumed in Arrernte cuisine.

EXAMPLE: Lemon myrtle as a native seasoning in restaurants.

cash crops

Crops grown for profit rather than subsistence.

EXAMPLE: Queensland sugarcane plantations exported globally.

EXAMPLE: Tasmanian poppy farms supplying pharmaceuticals.

EXAMPLE: Almond orchards in SA meeting international demand.

EXAMPLE: Barossa Valley wine grapes for premium exports.

cereals

Edible grains forming dietary staples worldwide.

EXAMPLE: Wheat grown in WA for Australian bread production.

EXAMPLE: Rice cultivated in the Ord River region for Asian markets.

EXAMPLE: Oats in Queensland breakfast cereals.

EXAMPLE: Barley used in Tasmanian craft beer.

embargo

Government trade ban restricting imports/exports.

EXAMPLE: Russia's 2023 ban on Australian beef.

EXAMPLE: Australia's 2011 live cattle export ban to Indonesia.

EXAMPLE: China's barley tariffs during trade disputes.

EXAMPLE: Japan's temporary ban on Australian rockmelons (2018).

free trade agreement

Agreement eliminating tariffs to boost cross-border trade.

EXAMPLE: Australia-UK FTA (2023) removing wine tariffs.

EXAMPLE: Australia-Japan FTA increasing beef exports.

EXAMPLE: Australia-China FTA (ChAFTA) expanding dairy trade.

EXAMPLE: CPTPP reducing seafood export barriers.

legumes

High-protein seeds like lentils and beans, vital for plant-based diets.

EXAMPLE: Chickpeas in Adelaide's hummus production.

EXAMPLE: Lentils grown in Victoria for vegan markets.

EXAMPLE: Faba beans used in NSW livestock feed.

EXAMPLE: Bush beans in Indigenous Australian dishes.

market economy

System where production/distribution is driven by consumer demand.

EXAMPLE: Australia's café-driven coffee culture.

EXAMPLE: Coles/Woolworths expanding gluten-free product ranges.

EXAMPLE: Plant-based meat demand shaping supermarket stock.

EXAMPLE: Tasmanian artisanal cheese markets.

subsistence agriculture

Farming for personal/family consumption, not profit.

EXAMPLE: Indigenous yam cultivation in Arnhem Land.

EXAMPLE: Remote NT communities growing vegetables.

EXAMPLE: Rural Victorian hobby farms for self-sufficiency.

EXAMPLE: Urban backyard chicken coops for household eggs.

staple food

Daily foods providing core energy and nutrition.

EXAMPLE: Bread in Australian households.

EXAMPLE: Rice in Vietnamese-Australian pho dishes.

EXAMPLE: Potatoes in traditional meat-and-three-veg meals.

EXAMPLE: Pasta in Italian-Australian restaurants.

tariff

Tax on imports to protect domestic industries.

EXAMPLE: Australian sugar tariffs vs. Brazilian competition.

EXAMPLE: Dairy tariffs shielding Murray-Goulburn farmers.

EXAMPLE: EU wine tariffs before the 2023 FTA.

EXAMPLE: Tuna tariffs supporting Port Lincoln fisheries.

undernutrition

Deficiencies in calories, protein, or nutrients.

EXAMPLE: Indigenous children with iron-deficiency anemia.

EXAMPLE: Urban populations lacking vitamin D.

EXAMPLE: Refugee communities with kwashiorkor.

EXAMPLE: Elderly Australians with osteoporosis.

value added

Increasing a product's value through processing.

EXAMPLE: Wheat processed into sourdough bread.

EXAMPLE: Tasmanian salmon smoked for gourmet markets.

EXAMPLE: Macadamias coated in chocolate for export.

EXAMPLE: Barossa Valley grapes fermented into wine.

World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Global body resolving trade disputes.

EXAMPLE: Settling US-Australia beef hormone conflicts.

EXAMPLE: Enforcing China's trade commitments.

EXAMPLE: Regulating EU agricultural subsidies.

EXAMPLE: Addressing India's rice export restrictions.

Salmonella

Bacteria causing diarrhea, fever, and cramps via contaminated eggs/meat.

EXAMPLE: Undercooked chicken at Australian BBQs.

EXAMPLE: Cross-contaminated salads in Sydney restaurants.

EXAMPLE: Raw egg mayonnaise in delis.

EXAMPLE: Contaminated poultry processing lines in QLD.

Campylobacter

Bacteria causing vomiting/diarrhea from raw meat or milk.

EXAMPLE: Contaminated water in rural NSW.

EXAMPLE: Undercooked burgers at fast-food chains.

EXAMPLE: Unpasteurized queso fresco in markets.

EXAMPLE: Poorly sanitized poultry farms in QLD.

Staphylococcus aureus

Toxin-producing bacteria from poor hygiene.

EXAMPLE: Cream buns at Sydney bakeries.

EXAMPLE: Deli salads at Subway stores.

EXAMPLE: Unrefrigerated BBQ leftovers.

EXAMPLE: Contaminated cake frosting.

Listeria

Pathogen causing fever/miscarriage risks in deli meats/cheeses.

EXAMPLE: Rockmelon outbreak (2018) in NSW.

EXAMPLE: Soft cheeses mishandled in Adelaide markets.

EXAMPLE: Pre-packaged salads in Woolworths.

EXAMPLE: Cold cuts stored improperly in Melbourne delis.

E. coli

Bacteria causing severe abdominal pain and kidney failure.

EXAMPLE: Rare burgers at Grill'd restaurants.

EXAMPLE: Contaminated supermarket salads.

EXAMPLE: Unpasteurized juice outbreaks.

EXAMPLE: Cross-contaminated BBQ utensils.

Norovirus

Highly contagious virus causing vomiting/diarrhea.

EXAMPLE: Unwashed hands at Melbourne bakeries.

EXAMPLE: Sick staff in Sydney cafés.

EXAMPLE: Contaminated salad bars.

EXAMPLE: Poor hand hygiene in Brisbane pubs.

Clostridium perfringens

Bacteria causing cramps from improperly cooled meat.

EXAMPLE: Buffet food left out in Perth hotels.

EXAMPLE: Slow-cooked stews not refrigerated.

EXAMPLE: Reheated meat dishes in school cafeterias.

EXAMPLE: Large-batch catering without rapid cooling.

Dry Storage

Storing non-perishables in cool, dry conditions.

EXAMPLE: Pasta in airtight jars in households.

EXAMPLE: Canned beetroot in Outback pantries.

EXAMPLE: Spices sealed in jars at remote cafes.

EXAMPLE: Rice sacks stored securely in NT communities.

Cold Storage

Refrigerating perishables at 0-4°C.

EXAMPLE: Milk in Coles fridge displays.

EXAMPLE: Cheese aging rooms in Gippsland.

EXAMPLE: Raw meat in Woolworths' chilled sections.

EXAMPLE: Leafy greens in hydroponic farms.

Freezing

Preserving food at -18°C or below.

EXAMPLE: Vacuum-sealed kangaroo meat for export.

EXAMPLE: Blanched peas in frozen meals.

EXAMPLE: Berries frozen for smoothies.

EXAMPLE: Bulk soups stored for food relief programs.

Stock Rotation (FIFO)

Prioritizing older stock to reduce waste.

EXAMPLE: Rotating canned tomatoes in restaurants.

EXAMPLE: Meat labeled with dates at IGA stores.

EXAMPLE: Dairy expiry checks in bakeries.

EXAMPLE: Supermarket shelf restocking systems.

24/4 Hour Rule

Safety guideline for food in the danger zone (5-60°C).

EXAMPLE: Leftover sausage rolls at Bunnings BBQs.

EXAMPLE: Thawed chicken in home kitchens.

EXAMPLE: Buffet food at hotels.

EXAMPLE: Cooked rice in food trucks.

Stainless Steel Equipment

Durable, non-porous tools for hygiene.

EXAMPLE: Commercial kitchens in Sydney.

EXAMPLE: Hospital food prep surfaces.

EXAMPLE: Subway meat slicers.

EXAMPLE: Brewery fermentation tanks.

Household Equipment

Small-scale cooking tools.

EXAMPLE: Thermomix appliances.

EXAMPLE: Breville sandwich presses.

EXAMPLE: Silicone baking mats.

EXAMPLE: Air fryers for frozen chips.

Commercial Equipment

High-volume restaurant tools.

EXAMPLE: Hobart mixers in bakeries.

EXAMPLE: Combi ovens in pubs.

EXAMPLE: Walk-in freezers in hotels.

EXAMPLE: Industrial blenders in juice bars.

Industrial Equipment

Large-scale machinery for mass production.

EXAMPLE: Conveyor fryers for Smith's potato chips.

EXAMPLE: Flash-freezing Tasmanian seafood.

EXAMPLE: Robotic dairy milking systems.

EXAMPLE: Automated Arnott's packaging lines.

Cross-Contamination

Pathogen spread via shared tools/surfaces.

EXAMPLE: Using the same board for meat and salad at BBQs.

EXAMPLE: Unwashed knives in sushi restaurants.

EXAMPLE: Shared fryers for halal and non-halal foods.

EXAMPLE: Contaminated water in remote farms.

Basic Hygiene

Practices like handwashing and sanitizing.

EXAMPLE: Gloves at McDonald's Australia.

EXAMPLE: Hand sanitizer stations in pubs.

EXAMPLE: Hairnets in bakery factories.

EXAMPLE: No jewelry policies in cafes.

Work Health and Safety Act 2011

Australian workplace safety laws.

EXAMPLE: PPE requirements in meatworks.

EXAMPLE: Fire drills in Sydney restaurants.

EXAMPLE: Anti-slip mats in kitchens.

EXAMPLE: Hazard reporting in factories.

Food Standards Code

Australia's food safety and labeling rules.

EXAMPLE: Allergen labels in Coles bakery items.

EXAMPLE: Temperature logs in sushi chains.

EXAMPLE: HACCP protocols in dairy processing.

EXAMPLE: Cracked egg inspections at farms.

Food Act 2003

NSW food handling regulations.

EXAMPLE: Restaurant hygiene ratings.

EXAMPLE: Food safety supervisor mandates.

EXAMPLE: Halal certification audits.

EXAMPLE: Bushmeat sales crackdowns.

Physical Contaminants

Foreign objects in food.

EXAMPLE: Metal fragments in canned tomatoes.

EXAMPLE: BBQ brush bristles in meals.

EXAMPLE: Stones in dried lentils.

EXAMPLE: Glass shards in jarred sauces.

Chemical Contaminants

Toxins from pesticides or chemicals.

EXAMPLE: Pesticide residues in QLD bananas.

EXAMPLE: Cleaning agents tainting baked goods.

EXAMPLE: Oil leaks in fish-and-chip shops.

EXAMPLE: Allergen cross-contact in shared fryers.

Microbial Contaminants

Pathogens like bacteria/viruses in food.

EXAMPLE: Salmonella in egg sandwiches.

EXAMPLE: E. coli in undercooked burgers.

EXAMPLE: Listeria in pre-packed salads.

EXAMPLE: Norovirus in catering services.

Food Fallacy

Food myths or misconceptions.

EXAMPLE: "Vegemite is healthy" despite high salt.

EXAMPLE: "BBQ meat is always safe" ignoring undercooking.

EXAMPLE: "Organic = pesticide-free" (some pesticides allowed).

EXAMPLE: "Fresh is best" vs. frozen nutrient retention.

Hydroponics

Soil-less farming with nutrient-rich water.

EXAMPLE: Sydney vertical lettuce farms.

EXAMPLE: Melbourne CBD microgreens.

EXAMPLE: Outback tomato greenhouses.

EXAMPLE: Perth rooftop herb gardens.

Vertical Farming

Stacked indoor farms using minimal resources.

EXAMPLE: Singapore-Australia spinach partnerships.

EXAMPLE: Adelaide climate-controlled farms.

EXAMPLE: Sydney underground mushroom farms.

EXAMPLE: Darwin cyclone-resistant systems.

3D-Printed Food

Custom meals via additive manufacturing.

EXAMPLE: Chocolate logos for Melbourne cafes.

EXAMPLE: Personalized hospital meals.

EXAMPLE: CSIRO-developed astronaut food.

EXAMPLE: Artisan pasta shapes in Sydney.

RFID Tagging

Tracking food via unique identifiers.

EXAMPLE: Woolworths' meat expiry monitoring.

EXAMPLE: Coles' avocado ripeness tracking.

EXAMPLE: Tasmanian salmon batch IDs.

EXAMPLE: Dairy traceability in Victoria.

Drones in Agriculture

Aerial crop monitoring and pest control.

EXAMPLE: QLD sugarcane field surveys.

EXAMPLE: WA wheat crop imaging.

EXAMPLE: NT cattle tracking.

EXAMPLE: Tasmanian vineyard pest detection.

Food Security

Reliable access to safe, nutritious food.

EXAMPLE: Drought aid in the Murray-Darling Basin.

EXAMPLE: Foodbank Australia distributions.

EXAMPLE: Urban farming in Melbourne.

EXAMPLE: Bushfire recovery food supplies.

Food Preservation Methods

Techniques to extend shelf life.

EXAMPLE: Freeze-dried bush tomato powder.

EXAMPLE: Vacuum-sealed barramundi.

EXAMPLE: UHT milk (Dairy Farmers).

EXAMPLE: Dehydrated mango slices.

Food Processing Stages

Steps from raw to consumable food.

EXAMPLE: Wheat milled into bread.

EXAMPLE: Coffee beans roasted into pods.

EXAMPLE: Milk processed into cheese.

EXAMPLE: Beef minced into schnitzel.

Food Packaging Innovations

Tech to improve safety/convenience.

EXAMPLE: Retort pouches for John West tuna.

EXAMPLE: Zip-lock frozen berry bags.

EXAMPLE: Biodegradable meat trays.

EXAMPLE: 1965-invented wine casks.

Food Safety Practices

Strategies to prevent contamination.

EXAMPLE: Color-coded cutting boards in McDonald's.

EXAMPLE: Gloves in Subway sandwich prep.

EXAMPLE: Temperature logs in sushi trains.

EXAMPLE: Daily sanitizing routines in cafes.

Food Division Rules

Cultural or practical food-sharing practices.

EXAMPLE: Aboriginal elders served first.

EXAMPLE: Torres Strait portion sharing.

EXAMPLE: Communal BBQs at family gatherings.

EXAMPLE: OzHarvest food redistribution.

Food Accessibility Factors

Barriers to obtaining food.

EXAMPLE: Kimberley's high fresh produce costs.

EXAMPLE: GST exemptions on essentials.

EXAMPLE: Refugee food aid programs.

EXAMPLE: School breakfast clubs.

Food Security Challenges

Threats to food reliability.

EXAMPLE: WA wheat yield declines.

EXAMPLE: QLD coral bleaching impacts.

EXAMPLE: SA water restrictions.

EXAMPLE: VIC heatwave crop damage.

Food Policy Debates

Controversial laws/agreements.

EXAMPLE: Plastic packaging bans.

EXAMPLE: Sugar tax proposals.

EXAMPLE: GM crop debates.

EXAMPLE: Live export ethics.

Food Taboos

Cultural food restrictions.

EXAMPLE: Avoiding totemic animals in Indigenous diets.

EXAMPLE: Seasonal "no-go" foods.

EXAMPLE: Kosher certification in Melbourne.

EXAMPLE: Halal meat in Muslim communities.

Foodborne Illness Scenario

Cases of foodborne pathogens.

EXAMPLE: Listeria in rockmelons (2018).

EXAMPLE: Salmonella in egg-based desserts.

EXAMPLE: E. coli from rare burgers.

EXAMPLE: Norovirus in catering services.

Food Technology Evolution

Advancements in food systems.

EXAMPLE: First espresso machines in 1928 cafes.

EXAMPLE: UHT milk innovation (1960s).

EXAMPLE: Vegemite as a brewing byproduct.

EXAMPLE: CSIRO meat preservation tech.

Foodborne Illness Prevention

Methods to reduce pathogen risks.

EXAMPLE: Cooking chicken to 75°C.

EXAMPLE: Separate utensils for raw meat.

EXAMPLE: Fridges at 4°C in restaurants.

EXAMPLE: Handwashing posters in kitchens.

Food Storage Impact

Effects of storage on quality/safety.

EXAMPLE: Blanched peas retaining color.

EXAMPLE: Vacuum-sealed lamb for export.

EXAMPLE: Herbs stored in damp towels.

EXAMPLE: Cheese aged in cool rooms.

Food Security Elements

Availability, access, utilization, stability.

EXAMPLE: WA drought-resistant crops.

EXAMPLE: Foodbank distributions in cities.

EXAMPLE: Supermarket price caps (e.g., milk).

EXAMPLE: Bushfire recovery aid.

Food Security Availability

Ensuring sufficient food supply.

EXAMPLE: Wheat production in WA.

EXAMPLE: Imported EU wine pre-FTA.

EXAMPLE: Foodbank emergency supplies.

EXAMPLE: FIFO stock rotation in supermarkets.

Food Security Access

Overcoming economic/geographic barriers.

EXAMPLE: Road trains delivering to remote NT.

EXAMPLE: Woolworths' refrigerated trucks.

EXAMPLE: Drone trials in QLD farms.

EXAMPLE: Refugee food aid programs.

Food Security Utilization

Proper food use for nutrition/safety.

EXAMPLE: HACCP in dairy processing.

EXAMPLE: Blanching veggies for nutrients.

EXAMPLE: Aboriginal cycad nut leaching.

EXAMPLE: Mandatory iodine in bread.

Food Security Stability

Maintaining supply during disruptions.

EXAMPLE: Drought aid in Murray-Darling Basin.

EXAMPLE: Vertical farming in cyclone-prone Darwin.

EXAMPLE: OzHarvest during shortages.

EXAMPLE: Post-2020 supermarket protocols.