Shoppers strolling through Shoprite or Pick n Pay today encounter more technological advancements than ever before. From technology-driven inventory management to smart shopping carts, innovation is transforming the shopping experience.
Amid these digital upgrades a critical question remains: Are retailers using the best technology to protect South African consumers from expired and contaminated food?
Are retailers using artificial intelligence (AI)? In a world where food safety is increasingly threatened, AI could be the missing link in tracking food from source to stomach.
The ability to crunch vast amounts of data at lightning speed allows supermarkets to predict stock demand, reduce food waste, and optimise supply chains. But why stop there? Why not leverage AI to ensure that the food on our shelves is safe?
The self-interest of some food producers, coupled with weak regulatory oversight, has turned food safety into a global crisis.
According to the World Health Organisation, foodborne diseases affect about 600-million people annually, leading to 420,000 deaths and the loss of 33-million healthy life years, with economic damage reaching an estimated $93.2bn (R1.7-trillion).
These issues not only endanger public health but inflict severe harm on societies and economies worldwide.
South Africans are no strangers to food safety scandals. The 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak, linked to contaminated processed meats from JSE-listed Tiger Brands, resulted in more than 1,000 infections and 218 deaths, the deadliest such outbreak in history.
More recently, in November 2024, poison-contaminated snacks bought from spaza shops led to the deaths of 20 children and left nearly 900 others hospitalised, prompting the government to declare a national disaster.
Despite having numerous food safety regulations, including the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectant Act of 1972 and the Consumer Protection Act, South Africa still struggles with enforcement.
If AI can optimise inventory and shopping experiences, why can’t it be used to verify food safety?
Weak oversight, unethical producers and a lack of consumer tools to verify food integrity continue to put lives at risk.
If AI can optimise inventory and shopping experiences, why can’t it be used to verify food safety?
Imagine an app that lets consumers scan a barcode or QR code on any food product to access real-time information about its expiry date, origin, producer, and potential contamination alerts.
An AI-driven app could provide grocery shoppers instant access to accurate food safety data while improving accountability by enabling authorities to track foodborne illness outbreaks to their source.
Additionally, the app could enhance regulatory oversight through a digital food supply chain footprint and help reduce food waste by identifying products that are still safe to consume.
South Africa is home to some of the most talented software developers in Africa. Why haven’t we yet developed a simple yet effective AI-powered food safety solution?
Startups worldwide are already exploring blockchain technology for supply chain transparency and AI for food quality detection.
In China, AI-driven food scanners detect harmful additives, while in the US blockchain ensures farm-to-table traceability.
South Africa must not lag behind. A locally developed AI-driven app, customised for South African languages and markets, could be a game-changer. It could integrate with cloud databases that store real-time updates from food producers, retailers, and government agencies.
The same technology that powers loyalty programmes, such as Shoprite’s Xtra savings loyalty card and Pick n Pay’s Smart Shopper card, could be harnessed for food safety.
South Africa’s government investigations and public education campaigns are reactive measures, they do not prevent food safety crises. Relying on outdated regulations and human inspections is no longer adequate. Instead, digital transformation must take centre stage.
An AI-powered food safety system wouldn’t be a magic bullet, but it could significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Imagine coming home from a holiday and, instead of guessing whether your groceries are still fresh, scanning them for instant verification through a barcode or QR code.
This is not science fiction. It is a logical step in our increasingly digitised world. The question is: Will South African innovators rise to the challenge? Or will we continue to let outdated systems dictate the safety of our food?
The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.
• Lourie is the editor of TechFinancials.co.za
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