During last week’s Global Food Safety Conference, the leaders of the food retail and manufacturing industry discussed numerous topics, including the push for future growth and innovations working to keep food safe from farm to fork. While the topics ranged from panel to panel, there was one collective and overarching focus on the minds of attendees and experts which was the desire to create a stronger food safety culture.
Companies and leaders are encouraged now more than ever to rise up and address the challenge that many consumers don’t wholeheartedly trust the safety of private and national food brands. Additionally, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), another popular topic at the expo, demands significant change in shifting our collective focus to prevent food safety problems and create a more trustworthy industry. While many leaders debated these issues during panels, a common solution was found in transformation.
Since consumers are demanding more information, from complete but simple lists of ingredients to the exact location of where their food stems from, many companies are attempting to fit these needs by transforming their efforts in brand transparency, dietary restrictions and environmental and safety regulations to their customers. This heavy list of demands is not impossible to meet, but as discussed throughout the conference, it does require strong leadership and a willingness to commit to evolving industry standards.
In a world where consumers demand greater food health and safety, technology is imperative. In order to strengthen a food safety culture within a business, incorporating collaborative technology frequently came into conversation among panelists. With more needs comes more data. To list every ingredient, identify the origin of products and stay ahead of trends, it can be difficult to piece together industry data requirements. Advancements in technology have simplified this process.
Data helps maintain consistency across global food supply chains, assess risks and address challenges quicker than ever before, but it must be filtered to understand and benefit from it properly. During our Tech Talk at the conference, we explored how retailers and suppliers can leverage data and technology to drive down costs, minimize risks and care for their consumer brands.
Incredible progress can be achieved when collaborative solutions and ambitious leaders join together to propel an industry forward. With numerous viewpoints to learn from, the world of food safety – from packaging and sanitation to supply chain management and sustainability efforts – is getting stronger every day. We had a great conference and want to thank everyone who attended our Tech Talk, along with the many other food retail and manufacturing leaders who provided an inspiring look into the future of food safety and health.