Search
Search
DUBLIN, 2nd APRIL 2025: Exploring pivotal themes shaping the future of safe food for all, Day 2 of the GFSI Conference 2025 built upon the foundations laid on the opening day.
The transformative influence of data and digital transformation in food safety practices
With input from McCormick & Company, Mars, Inc. and Nestlé, the plenary session “Digitalisation in Food Safety” explored the latest developments in integrating technology, discussing real-world applications. Digitalisation is not just about converting paper-based systems to digital formats but about leveraging data connectivity, sensors, and signals to proactively manage food safety and quality throughout the manufacturing process. Panellists stressed the importance of strategic planning and regulatory alignment.
“We’re really trying to make it operator centric, because at the end, food safety is about people. So, if all these tools are not there to basically to support the people who are making food every single day, we are missing the purpose. So, I think this operator centric approach is key in what we are trying to do.” – Olivier Mignot, Vice President, Global Head of Quality Management, Nestlé
Panellists from Mars, Mondelez, Reckitt Benckiser and bioMérieux focused on the practical application of a collaborative data-sharing initiative to enhance food safety and quality during a special session hosted by BioMérieux and Mérieux presented by NutriSciences. Emphasising the non-competitive nature of food safety data sharing to avoid firefighting, the panel agreed on the necessity of increased partnership, better data quality, and leveraging external data for predictive insights to improve food safety and supply chain resilience.
Evolving Food Safety Challenges and Solutions
Throughout the day, new and potential threats such as antimicrobial resistance and foodborne pathogens were explored, in particular during the session “Managing Emerging Risks in Food Safety”, where the role of technology and global collaboration was discussed to address these dynamic risks.
The Breakout Session “The Nexus of Food Safety and Plastics” delved into the scientific and regulatory landscapes concerning chemical contaminants in paper and plastic food production and packaging, with a focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), a pressing concern due to their hazardous characteristics and potential for migration into food. With only 30% of the 10% of plastics recycled globally coming from the consumer goods industry, the importance of circularity was discussed: Mark Roberts detailed the challenges of producing recycled polypropylene for food contact, emphasising that complex sorting and decontamination processes and clear regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure safety and compliance.
“If you want to have recycled plastics that will be usable for food applications, you need first to have a virgin plastic packaging that is well designed.” – Cédric Dever, Director, Sustainability, The Consumer Goods Forum
Hidden food safety risks such as complacency and reactive approaches, staff turnover, training and cultural challenges, the complexity of digital food safety systems for frontline workers, supply chain disruptions were highlighted by Diversey Consulting during the special session “Invisible Dangers”. The expert panel concluded with a call for collaboration and proactive measures to address emerging risks.
Fostering Trust and Transparency in the Food System
A key takeaway from today’s sessions is the real power in shaping your own narrative, especially when it comes to food safety. We heard how Sean Summers, Group CEO at Pick n Pay took a bold step by going public about an extortion attempt, and by being transparent, they actually boosted their reputation.
Later, Professor Patrick Wall, Professor of Public Health, University College Dublin, really drove home the message that the food industry needs to fight back against misinformation by being courageous and transparent in explaining their innovations and commitment to health protection to rebuild consumer trust. So, it seems like taking control of the story, whether during a crisis or in the face of broader misconceptions, is really crucial for building and maintaining trust.
“You need to control the narrative, you need to be the source of the truth, and the leader needs to lead.” – Sean Summers, Group CEO, Pick n Pay
Discussing the rise in demand for data on ingredient origins and sustainability, panelists emphasised the need for accurate, accessible, and detailed information in “Trust in Food Labelling”. Regulatory challenges in balancing consumer needs and industry practices. The role of AI in enhancing data accuracy and streamlining processes was underscored, with examples of AI-driven systems improving allergen management and product recall. Better collaboration between regulators, industry, and consumer groups is required to ensure trust and effective communication.
In an innovative and packed workshop on root cause analysis (RCA), participants were divided into three groups to discuss its application in food and beverage operations, across stakeholder groups, and within the GFSI ecosystem.
The session on strengthening trust in audit systems discussed what happens following food safety failures. GFSI recognises that incidents erode trust in audit systems and is actively working to rebuild and strengthen this trust. The reliability of third-party audits is critical for both industry and consumer confidence. Continuous improvement and learning from failures are essential.
Food Safety Culture and Consumer Education
The significant challenges in effectively communicating food safety emerged as a cross-cutting topic during the day’s discussions. One significant hurdle is the conflicting information consumers receive from social media, sometimes contradicting official advice. The diverse cultural and generational backgrounds of both consumers and employees necessitate tailored communication approaches to ensure messages resonate. For employees, the high turnover rate in some food businesses poses a challenge for consistent training. Potential solutions discussed included the need for engaging storytelling to involve consumers in food safety and leveraging social media to reach them effectively. For employees, continuous training and the use of technology to improve training delivery and compliance were seen as important.
“Repeated food safety training is necessary. It isn’t good enough to say the message once. If you don’t repeat the message, then behaviours will go back to where they used to be beforehand.” – Trish TWOHIG, Director of Food Safety, safefood
