AI in the Food Industry: How Technology is Reshaping Manufacturing Processes

In recent years, artificial intelligence has revolutionised the world. It has also brought exciting new changes to the food and beverage production industry. From improving farming techniques to influencing the way we shop and eat, the use of AI in the food industry is not only innovative, it can increase productivity and food safety.  

According to the United Nations, around 13.2% of food produced is lost between harvest and delivery. It is therefore critical to optimise food production in order to reduce food waste and achieve climate goals that have been set globally.  

At Shoes For Crews, we are always looking to the future to see how we can improve our production processes. Read on to discover six ways technology is transforming manufacturing processes through AI in the food industry, and how you can make your own facility more successful and efficient.  

1. Advanced quality control

Using AI to monitor quality control in the food industry means monitoring and analysing the production process in real-time. The advantage of these visual inspection systems is that they can detect defects, contaminants or allergens that the human eye might otherwise miss. In addition, these systems can learn and collect data with each test, increasing both effectiveness and precision. Tracking production with AI-enabled cameras means that food contamination issues are getting detected much more quickly, increasing safety on the floor. 

2. Optimising the supply chain

Perishables management is a key element of production. By incorporating AI into the food industry, these systems can analyse historical sales data, market trends and weather forecasts to help predict future demand for products. This enables factories and plants to prepare and manage their inventories to minimise overstocks and out-of-stocks, ensuring timely delivery of products at their peak freshness.

As the backbone of the food industry, supply chains need to become more stable and resilient. The use of artificial intelligence throughout the sourcing, operations and distribution processes helps to track products from harvest to delivery with improved accuracy. It can also work to set better monitoring standards, test products at every stage and ensure food hygiene standards are enforced. 

3. Enhanced food sorting systems

AI in the food industry uses technologies including advanced algorithms, data analytics and machine learning to evaluate and categorise food products. AI-powered food sorting systems take into account factors such as colour, size and ripeness. They significantly reduce human error and increase processing speed, which is critical for maintaining freshness.  

Trends, buying patterns and preferences can also be analysed in depth using AI predictive analytics to help factories produce and store the right mix of products. This technology allows for flexibility in adapting product offerings with optimised pairings and varieties.

4. Robotics in food production

Many industries have benefited from the automation of repetitive work tasks and increased productivity. The integration of AI-driven robotics automates a wide range of operations such as canning, labelling, packaging, weighing and sealing products on the assembly line. This technology is fast, efficient and maintains high standards of hygiene, reducing the risk of contamination. 

5. AI in beverage production

Similar to food production, AI can be used to refine processes and beverage offerings based on consumer feedback. By applying this technology, factories can quickly adapt their products to changing tastes and preferences to ensure that they remain appealing and relevant to customers. 

As mentioned above, AI-powered robots or robotic tools can be used to measure liquids, pour mixtures and seal bottles, reducing potential spillage on factory floors. This in turn can help reduce slips, trips and falls for your employees working with this technology. Wearing water repellent or waterproof footwear is also an excellent way to prevent slipping in the event a spill does occur. 

6. Safety in the workplace

One of the most common hazards for workers in the food manufacturing industry is the risk of slips and falls. AI-enabled cameras can detect safety issues if workers on the factory floor are not following specific hygiene rules or not wearing the right food safety gear. However, this technology alone cannot prevent many workplace accidents.  

Providing your staff with good quality, slip-resistant footwear is the best way to help prevent slips, trips and falls. Our Shoes For Crews’ slip-resistant technology has been protecting food and beverage production workers for over 40 years. Our wide range of safety shoes includes unisex styles available in both white and black and are easy to clean. Many of our styles feature a lightweight design and shock-absorbing heel, which can provide significant relief for staff members who spend long hours on their feet walking on hard concrete. Safety footwear that is made to fit the exact size of the wearer not only provides optimum comfort, but also increases productivity and well-being in the workplace.

Incorporating the use of AI in the food industry will allow your production facility to streamline its operations, protect the health of your employees and ensure the quality of your products. Embracing new technologies and addressing industry challenges can help your factory thrive. At Shoes For Crews, we want to be a part of that process and can help you with any safety footwear needs you may have. Get in touch with one of our experts  or browse our Catalogue directly from our website.