13 Feb 2025
Food Standards Agency Brings AI to Meat Inspection
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Modernising Meat Inspection with Artificial Intelligence
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a pilot programme to modernise meat inspection in the UK. By using artificial intelligence (AI), the agency aims to improve food safety, speed up inspections, and support the meat industry’s changing needs.
This trial is currently running in selected abattoirs across England and Wales. AI tools analyse images of carcasses and highlight possible health risks or signs of contamination. These alerts help inspectors make faster and more accurate decisions.
How AI Supports the Process
The AI system works alongside human inspectors. It:
- Reviews high-resolution images in real time
- Flags signs of disease or non-compliance
- Offers consistent assessments based on data
- Helps reduce mistakes and improve traceability
Rather than replacing inspectors, AI adds a second layer of checks. This approach improves speed and accuracy, especially in busy processing plants.
Industry Response
Processors and plant managers have responded with cautious optimism. Many believe AI could:
- Speed up inspections
- Improve consistency in grading
- Ease bottlenecks in operations
- Strengthen audit readiness
However, some concerns remain. These include data privacy, system reliability, and the need for proper training to ensure smooth adoption.
Regulatory and Ethical Considerations
The FSA has made it clear that human inspectors will stay in control. AI will support their work, not replace it. All decisions about food safety and animal welfare will still come from qualified professionals.
To ensure trust, the agency is working with industry groups. Together, they are reviewing ethical standards, data use, and compliance with UK and EU rules.
What Comes Next?
If the pilot succeeds, the FSA may expand the programme nationwide by mid-2026. Future uses could include:
- Inspections for poultry and pork
- Cross-border traceability systems
- Predictive tools for spotting disease outbreaks
A full report is expected later this year. It will include performance results, industry feedback, and recommendations for wider use.
Original story: publictechnology.net
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