Artificial intelligence (AI) in food safety and quality
Journal
Italian Journal of Food Science
ISSN
1120-1770
Date Issued
2026-04-18
Author(s)
Uzunov, Risto
Saints Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Saints Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje: Skopje, Skopje, MK
Angeleska, Aleksandra
DOI
10.15586/ijfs.v38i2.3525
Abstract
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) within the framework of fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is reshaping contemporary food safety management by enabling a transition from predominantly reactive prac-tices to proactive and predictive approaches. This study explores how AI-based technologies, including machine learning, computer vision, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, contribute to improved food safety control, quality monitoring, and supply chain traceability. The analysis indicates that AI-driven solutions outperform tra-ditional manual methods by delivering faster and more accurate detection of contaminants, improved identifica-tion of foodborne pathogens, and more reliable shelf-life prediction. The integration of AI with blockchain further strengthens traceability mechanisms, allowing rapid identification and containment of contamination events. Nevertheless, several limitations remain, notably the limited interpretability of complex deep-learning models, substantial implementation costs, and persistent challenges related to data quality and standardization. In addi-tion, ethical issues, such as data protection and potential algorithmic bias, highlight the importance of transpar-ent governance frameworks. The findings suggest that optimal outcomes are achieved when AI systems operate within a human-in-the-loop model, supported by interdisciplinary expertise and harmonized global datasets. Collectively, these advancements indicate that AI has strong potential to enhance the resilience, efficiency, and transparency of the global food supply chain, supporting progress toward a zero-contamination objective.