There is so much innovation happening in the food and beverage world today that it’s often hard to keep up. That’s why each week we’ll be bringing you highlights of the latest research and developments in food technology, new products, and food and beverage trends affecting the industry in Canada.
Here’s a few stories you should know about:
At CES 2024, Tech Companies are Transforming the Kitchen with AI and Robots that do the Cooking - AP
CES 2024, a trade show hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, took place in Las Vegas last week, and highlighted a number of robot and artificial intelligence-driven cooking technology that has moved from foodservice to home use.
-
Food technology on display included AI-powered appliances, such as a cocktail-mixing machine and an air fryer that uses AI to detect the type of food it is cooking.
-
Small-scale automated processors such as an automated brewing machine, show how consumers can make their own products at home.
-
The show also demonstrated chef-like robots and servers, including a barista bot currently being used in select U.S. coffee shops.
The Canadian Impact: Foodservice companies in Canada are already experimenting with robotics, automation and AI to standardize products and save time and labour costs, so it’s not surprising that forward-thinking manufacturers are presenting the technology to consumers hoping to recreate the restaurant experience at home.
Cultivated Meat Concerns: Cost, Health Impact and Religious Factors Raised by Singaporeans – Food Navigator Asia
In a new study from Singapore, researchers asked consumers and cultured meat experts what they see as the risks and benefits of cultivated meat. Singapore was the first country to allow cultured meat on the market.
-
Respondents identified societal benefits of cultured meat, including addressing food scarcity and supply chain vulnerabilities, as well as economic benefits such as job creation.
-
Risks cited included long-term health effects and higher cost than conventional products.
-
The study revealed many misperceptions about cultivated meat among the public, including confusing cultured meat with plant-based meat alternatives.
The Canadian Impact: Canada is poised to become a global leader in cellular food, and several Canadian companies are already innovating to develop cultivated meat.
Eagle Eye Launches AI-Powered Platform for Retailers – Yahoo Finance
EagleAI, from SaaS business Eagle Eye, is an AI-powered data science solution for grocers and retailers that automates the process of connecting with customers.
-
The platform uses machine-learning algorithms to create extremely personalized offers for customers, instead of providing customers with a variety of “best fit” offers.
-
The machine learning algorithms cover factors such as product affinity, shopping predictions, promotional responsiveness, and budgetary controls.
-
Eagle Eye’s cloud-based platform, Eagle Eye AIR, delivers more than 750 million personalized offers each week for grocery retailers, including Loblaws.
The Canadian Impact: AI is helping grocery retailers make better use of customer data, including to strengthen customer engagement, build brand loyalty, and optimize promotional spending.