AI tech not ‘magic bullet’ for food safety issues

While technological advances have the potential to revolutionise the way manufacturers approach food safety, it is important that the foundations are put in place before we put all our faith in it.

The industry needs to foster a culture in which food safety is emphasised at every part of the supply chain before new technologies can fully be leverage, said LRQA.

As Jan Kranghand, global head of the Food Centre of Excellence at LRQA, explained: “AI systems could enable large amounts of data to be analysed to identify patterns and generate insights, while blockchain – which is an unchangeable digital record of transactions – promotes transparency by monitoring the movement of food products through the supply chain.​

Building foundations

“However, it’s important we put the foundations in place before we put all our faith in technology. Food is better than ever, but this cannot be taken for granted. The food industry must prioritise transparency, ensure it is collecting the right data, and focus on creating a food safety culture.”​

Kranghand tasked food businesses with changing the way they think about food safety before the implement technologies such as AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT).

“Moving forward, this means evaluating processes and asking if current techniques are fit for purpose,”​ he added. “Companies must understand what ‘best-in-class’ food safety is, with business leaders driving change from the top. ​

‘Harmonised risk-based approach’

“Plus, by taking a step back to assess systems, processes and procedures, gaps can be identified to achieve a harmonised risk-based approach.”​

This extends to staff as well – all employees should have a basic overview of hazards, so they recognise the responsibility that comes when working in an industry that delivers consumable goods.

“For an effective food safety culture, implementation requires employee engagement,” ​Kranghand continued. “It’s about clearly explaining not just what staff need to do, but why these protocols matter and what the consequences of falling short are.​

“Doing this helps gives teams ownership of food safety and ensures they feel more accountable for their actions.”​

Meanwhile,  the UK food and drink industry is the fourth fastest to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) into job roles,​​ according to new research by PR agency Tank.