Technology downplayed in food safety

In a survey of 1,600 industry experts, just over a quarter (27%) of firms said they did not know how much they would invest in digital technologies for food safety in the next 12–18 months, while 13% said they weren’t investing in it at all.

DNV chief executive of business assurance Luca Crisciotti said: “Digital technologies such as blockchain will transform many industries, but this survey indicates that to many food and beverage companies these technologies have yet to transition from buzzwords to real applications.​

Potential ​

“But it is clear we must work together as an industry to fully utilize the potential of new digital technologies to improve food safety.”​

Safeguarding the health of consumers was the main driver of food safety, according to 88% of respondents. This was followed by laws and regulation (69%) and the needs or requests of customers (60%).

Operational risk (76%), such as contamination, was perceived to be the standout threat whilst a lack of food safety culture (30%) and compliance to regulations (28%) were the next two biggest risks. 

Meanwhile, with safety-first equipment and IT systems able to reduce the risk of workplace incidents and help manufacturers avoid severe penalties, can companies really afford not to invest in them?​​

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