Industry 4.0 digital transformation: Shaping the future of food quality

The agri-food sector represents a boundless source for sustaining a growing global population, with food quality emerging as a paramount concern. However, the evolving landscape presents several challenges, necessitating a compelling need to harness the potential of recent advancements in computer-aided systems. Fortunately, advances in computer-aided digital transformation have ushered in the era of Industry 4.0, representing a dramatic leap forward. Within this framework, Quality 4.0 has emerged as a pivotal component, leveraging intelligent and innovative technologies to enhance quality monitoring systems. This review emphasizes within the broader context of digital transformation that defines today's food industry, facilitating the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, food printing techniques, digital twins, smart sensors, and blockchain technology to revolutionize quality management in different food sector. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd