Advances in Food Quality Management Driven by Industry 4.0: A Systematic Review-Based Framework

Integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into food manufacturing processes transforms traditional quality management practices. This study aims to understand how these technologies are applied across managerial quality functions in the food industry. A systematic literature review was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, selecting 69 peer-reviewed articles. The analysis identified quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) as the most frequently addressed functions. Sensor technology was the most cited, followed by blockchain and artificial intelligence, mainly supporting food safety, process monitoring, and traceability. In contrast, quality design (QD), quality improvement (QI), and quality policy and strategy (QPS) were underrepresented, revealing a gap in strategic and innovation-focused applications. Based on these insights, the Food Quality Management 4.0 (FQM 4.0) framework was developed, mapping the relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and the five managerial quality functions, with food safety positioned as a transversal dimension. The framework contributes to academia and industry by offering a structured view of technological integration in food quality management and identifying future research and implementation directions. This study highlights the need for broader adoption of advanced technologies to improve transparency, responsiveness, and overall quality performance in the food sector.