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New Trend: AI and the Production of Healthier Foods
The food industry is one of many industries using the advancement of artificial intelligence to help provide better solutions for current issues while delivering the best in food quality. Machine learning algorithms analyze a wide range of data collected by sensors, production lines, and historical records to identify patterns and optimize production parameters. AI’s growth in the food industry has enabled establishments such as food manufacturers and supply chains to improve consumer satisfaction. The AI systems can predict equipment failures, allowing productive maintenance and minimizing downtime. It has opened up new avenues for personalized nutrition and product innovation. For example, food manufacturers could enable AI to develop new and innovative products by controlling data-driven insights on consumer trends, flavor preferences, and ingredient combinations.
Over the past year, the market size for AI in the food industry, including beverages, has risen to $9.68 billion in the United States. Its current growth is at 38.3%, with the expected amount going up to $48.99 billion by 2029.
AI has helped reduce production costs by almost 20% in the agriculture sector. AI tools feature advanced predictive analytics with precision forecasting for weather and crop yield predictions, by analyzing huge amounts of data, motoring nutrient levels in the soil and detecting signs of infestations or diseases, which results in healthier crops.
AI helps solve the issue of starvation for many, as nearly one-third of food is wasted every year, according to the Estimations of Food and Agriculture Organization. It leaves at least one in nine people suffering from starvation. With AI, the food industry can accurately predict demand forecasting and demand sensing, improve food storage practices, and optimize supply chain management to make a difference in food waste, especially for perishable food products. Supply chains have also utilized AI to track products from harvest to distribution channels to manage inventories with greater accuracy.
Some companies have taken the step further by relying on AI to produce new food products. Campbell Soup Co. has been using AI to help with product development by tracking data to discover what their customers want next. It’s through their initiative that new products have been introduced. AI helped Campbell see how much modern consumers like spice, so they released soups such as Spicy Chicken Noodle, Spicy Steak and Potato, Spicy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, and Spicy Sirloin Burger. They even developed Frank’s RedHot Goldfish Crackers because of AI-driven insights. Campbell was able to analyze these trends with AI and identify what their consumers enjoy. According to CEO Catherine Merritt at Spool, a CPG marketing agency, she stated: “As the retail landscape shifts and brands continue to leverage D2C for growth and scale, AI will become instrumental for highly customized and targeted content catered to each consumer.”
As AI continues to advance, it will provide even better ways for the food industry to evolve and provide solutions to current industrial issues.
New Insight: Top AI Systems and Techniques Used by Food Industry
AI technology has provided more accessible information on the very nature of food itself. AI’s contribution to the food industry created new possibilities for them to understand food on a deep level to provide the best for their consumers. The Periodic Table of Food is a great mapping source that composites food on a biomolecular level. It’s an open-access platform allowing any user to optimize regenerative agriculture practices, inform dietary guidelines, target food production for climate action, understand the impact of foods on gut health, etc. Some food manufacturers and innovators are still pondering over some ideas about how to utilize AI to improve their product quality and safety. There are at least a few ways in which AI technology has improved the production and quality of food. We have also listed several AI systems that provide plenty of benefits.
Improved Quality Control
AI technology identifies and detects defects in food products with a high degree of accuracy. AI systems analyze data from sensors and cameras to detect contamination, spoilage, and other quality issues. Food manufacturers can catch issues early on and make adjustments to prevent further contamination while assisting in identifying counterfeit products and improving food traceability. Quality control AI helps increase transparency and build consumer trust.
Increased Efficiency in Production and Processing
AI-powered robots have replaced human workers in automating production and process tasks. It helps improve task efficiency and reduce labor costs. They’re better at performing repetitive tasks in a fast, accurate, and consistent manner than any human. It has led to a more streamlined production process where AI systems help predict demand and supply chain management. It ensures food is produced and distributed according to time and cost efficiency.
Better Food Safety and Shelf Life
Because of the extra precautions in food examination, more food manufacturers have used AI technology to benefit both companies and their customers. It allows companies to identify potential safety hazards and predict shelf life. Algorithms analyze data from sensors and cameras to detect any changes in temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. It helps them to see the effects on food safety and quality so food manufacturers can make real-time adjustments to ensure the safety and quality of their products.
Predictive Analytics for Inspection Planning
Before food products are shipped off, they need to be inspected first. AI algorithms have been used to analyze historical data records on inspection outcomes, food safety incidents, and compliance trends or patterns. It enables predictive analytics for the likelihood of key food safety issues for optimizing resource allocation and making strategic plans. It has even created an AI-based early warning system to analyze diverse data sources for food safety inspectors. This system leverages data sources to detect potential food safety incidents or outbreaks in the nick of time.
Food Processing and Supply Chain Monitoring and Traceability
When it comes to AI tracking, a majority of food manufacturers have taken the opportunity to monitor the progress of their products. To track and monitor the process and movement of food products, AI provides real-time visibility into the food processing and supply chains to enhance traceability for food safety. It facilitates a fast response in the case of food contamination or recall. These AI-powered, automatic processes could be realized by utilizing technologies like radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, or data analytics.
Smart Labeling and Product Information Extraction
Every food or beverage product has a label attached to it. They mainly tell you about where it’s from and the nutritional value. AI can automate the extraction of product information from labels and packaging. It enhances the accuracy in capturing details, such as eight label features, nine food allergens, and allergen warnings. It also provides details on production and expiration dates, nutritional statements, inspection legends, manufacturer’s information, etc. AI performs smart labeling and food product information extraction by using technologies such as computer vision and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
AI-Enhanced Training and Skill Development
AI-driven training programs enhance the skills of inspectors and staff by offering virtual simulations and personalized, interactive, and adaptive learning paths. These AI-assisted training modules can contribute to continuous improvement in food safety knowledge and inspection capabilities.
New Action: How To Use AI to Make Better Food Today
The advancement of AI has led to the food industry progressing for the better. Their growth rate has expanded and will continue to expand for the next five years. Food retailers and supply chains are using AI to create new products and engage with their customers to appease their tastes. They have also applied AI to track the processing, movement, and safety of their food for everyone to consume and enjoy. With AI advancements continuing to grow, it seems like the quality and safety of food are in good hands.
AI has contributed to the production and delivery of food to various food establishments, like restaurants, to engage with consumers.
Supply chains and food retailers are already utilizing AI to create new products and make any improvements based on collected data sources.
AI provides plenty of features to improve the quality and safety of food for consumers all over the world to enjoy.
Companies have improved upon past industrial issues regarding starvation and food shortages by determining accurate demand forecasts.
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