UK Food Standards to enhance safety with AI tool

The UK's Food Standards Agency has partnered with British artificial intelligence firm Aiimi to introduce workplace search engine technology to enhance food safety risk assessments and expedite the processing of new food product applications.

This initiative coincides with new government funding from the Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund, which seeks to aid in the faster market introduction of sustainable and emerging food products, including lab-grown meat.

Aiimi employs artificial intelligence to assist teams in managing and comprehending their data. The company is known for providing services to notable British organisations, including PwC, multiple FTSE 100 companies, and government institutions such as the Financial Conduct Authority.

Under a two-year contract, with a potential extension of up to five years, Aiimi will collaborate with the Food Standards Agency's team of 1,500 personnel to uphold high food standards and public confidence.

The AI-driven search engine will allow authorised Food Standards Agency staff to access and analyse the agency's extensive data resources efficiently. This tool will support staff in processing new product applications, identifying potential food safety risks, and presenting insights to stakeholders for informed decision-making.

Aiimi's technology will systematise and integrate information in various formats from disconnected sources, such as data from Local Authorities, food businesses, and laboratories. The AI tool will enhance data extraction with geotags and sentiment analysis, enabling employees to discern critical patterns more effectively.

Currently, Food Standards Agency staff manually analyse a significant volume of data to pinpoint food risks and manage new product submissions, a complex and lengthy process that the new system intends to improve.

In addition to implementing the technology, Aiimi's expert consultants will provide training and ongoing support for Food Standards Agency staff to use the tool effectively.

Steve Salvin, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Aiimi, commented, "We're proud to have such a trustworthy and well-regarded institution put their faith in us. Vast amounts of data underpin our vital public services, but there is so much value still waiting to be unlocked. Using this data to generate more accurate and relevant insights in a timely and secure way is the route to driving the greatest impact for the greatest number of people."

"The AI-powered workplace search engine we're rolling out at the FSA will serve this very purpose; helping the regulator maintain the UK's high food standards and public trust, and bring to market more sustainable emerging food products."