Innovative Industrial Processes in the production chain of maize used for human food and relevant economic results

The main problem concerning the production of grain corn for human food use is on the fumonisins contamination. In the European context, the limits relating to the maximum levels allowed for these metabolites in foodstuffs, necessitate by companies involved in cultivation and in the subsequent stages of storage and processing, to bear costs and investments to get finished products conform to that regulation. The aim of this work has been assessing the economic sustainability of interventions based on particular techniques of grain processing and the use of innovative plants by elevators and processors in order to reduce the level of mycotoxin contamination. The firms examined are a storage center and a mill, located in Northern Italy, which orient their processes in order to achieve production of high food quality and health. The determination of costs and revenues to obtain grain products for human food use, has highlighted that a focused approach on the quality productions permit to obtain broader margin gains and food safety for the consumer.

Keywords:Maize, mycotoxins, technological innovation, food safety, processing cost

Jel codes:D24, O32, Q18

Teresina Mancuso, Stefano Massaglia, Massimo Morganti, Innovative Industrial Processes in the production chain of maize used for human food and relevant economic results in "ECONOMIA AGRO-ALIMENTARE" 3/2009, pp 203-222, DOI: 10.3280/ECAG2009-003010