Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transitioned from a futuristic promise to an operational system shaping the future of food. In the gastronomic and food industry, its potential is not just measured by technological innovation but also by tangible impacts: waste reduction, enhanced traceability, and more energy-efficient processes.
The Waste Problem
Nearly a quarter of food is wasted annually—over one billion metric tons, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). AI offers a smart solution for producing more with less.
AI algorithms now go beyond predicting trends or creating recipes; they design new protein sources, adjust textures, and enhance flavor profiles. Essentially, AI is transforming data into the new culinary art.
AI in Formulation
The first area where AI solidifies its value is formulation. Machine learning models trained on compound libraries, sensory matrices, and consumption data enable the creation of combinations that previously required months of trial and error.
For instance, McCormick’s partnership with IBM successfully turned sensory algorithms into commercial proposals in record time. In Latin America, NotCo revolutionized the industry by using AI to “map” equivalencies between plant-based and animal-origin ingredients. Their patented platform, Giuseppe AI (2021), allows for the development of foods with comparable taste and texture to traditional ones but with a smaller environmental footprint.
Operational Sustainability
AI’s second significant impact lies in operational sustainability. Tools like digital twins allow food plants to simulate production lines, calibrate process parameters, and predict failures without halting operations. Combined with sensors, advanced control, and predictive analytics, these systems have already demonstrated verifiable improvements in efficiency and water and energy savings.
In countries like Mexico, facing water stress, this approach is strategic. AI models cross-reference consumption data, agricultural productivity, and climate conditions to maximize productivity per unit of water used. Moreover, integrating these tools with public policies could transform national food planning by prioritizing interventions with greater environmental and social impact.
Combating Waste: AI as a Climate Ally
Over one billion metric tons of food are wasted annually, as per the UNEP. AI responds with three key levers:
- Granular demand forecasting to prevent overproduction.
- Dynamic price and promotion optimization based on remaining shelf life.
- Logistical reconfiguration to accelerate turnover and reduce losses from handling or temperature.
AI-enabled digital traceability, combined with blockchain, strengthens food safety. Regulations like the FDA’s Rule 204 under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in the US push exporters, including those from Latin America, to adopt intelligent systems. In Mexico, GS1 México standards are becoming a crucial tool for capturing and sharing data along the food chain, making “farm-to-plate” traceability possible.
Personalized Nutrition: AI on the Plate of Tomorrow
The next big step is precision nutrition, where AI intersects with medicine and gastronomy. By integrating data science, genomics, and metagenomics, algorithms can generate diets tailored to an individual’s microbiome, metabolism, and wellness goals.
Recent studies show that AI-supported personalized programs improve cardiometabolic markers compared to general nutritional advice. However, their application presents ethical challenges: managing sensitive data, ensuring algorithmic transparency, and promoting equitable access to these technologies.
For Latin America, the key is generating models trained on local data in collaboration with universities, hospitals, and public research centers. This way, recommendations can reflect regional habits, products, and nutritional conditions, reducing reliance on foreign models.
The Cost of Non-Adoption
AI does not replace human talent; it amplifies it. In cooking and the food industry, AI accelerates the development of more nutritious foods, reduces waste and energy consumption, strengthens traceability, and brings the promise of personalized nutrition closer.
