The FDA launched an artificial intelligence tool to make food recalls faster
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented “Elsa,” an internal artificial intelligence tool for its staff. The goal is to analyze food safety data, compare labels, and streamline regulatory efforts to more quickly detect food risks. Elsa is expected to help reduce the time it takes to issue food recalls to the public, although the FDA acknowledges that the tool is in its early stages and requires human oversight.
Meet Elsa, the FDA’s behind-the-scenes AI assistant that helps detect food risks before they spread.
The way you shop for food could be quietly changing as regulators incorporate artificial intelligence into the behind-the-scenes process.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unveiled Elsa, a new internal AI tool designed to help agency staff review food safety data, compare product labels, and streamline regulatory tasks. Elsa won’t write labels or communicate directly with consumers, but its behind-the-scenes role could influence how food safety risks are detected, how inspections are prioritized, and how quickly the FDA responds to issues.
This is important because AI is already increasingly common in the food system, from ingredient formulation and sharing to supply chain modeling. While Elsa isn’t involved in food product development or label writing, her debut comes at a time when lawmakers and consumer advocates are asking a related question: Should food labels reflect the role of AI in creating their content?
There’s no federal law requiring that kind of disclosure—at least not yet.
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But the debate is gaining momentum. A December 2024 survey by Ingredient Communications, a food and beverage industry research and consulting firm, found that 83% of consumers want companies to disclose when AI is used in food development or production. Nearly two-thirds said they don’t believe AI-assisted products should be labeled “natural,” reflecting a widespread discomfort with invisible technology influencing what reaches store shelves.
“Many food and beverage companies have been quick to embrace the benefits of AI technology, but it’s important that they carefully consider consumer feedback on this,” said Richard Clarke, general manager of Ingredient Communications. “To avoid negative reactions, manufacturers should reflect on their transparency.”
Elsa isn’t part of that labeling decision, but it’s already part of the system that could support it. Developed in a secure government cloud, the tool helps FDA staff streamline the management of complex safety reports, labeling documents, and inspection planning. The agency says Elsa is already used to summarize adverse event reports, identify labeling inconsistencies, and flag issues that might require further analysis.
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For shoppers, Elsa’s behind-the-scenes role could influence how quickly important information is shared when something goes wrong. Serious food recalls can take several weeks to be officially classified by the FDA, meaning alerts may not reach the public until long after the problem has been identified. Food safety professionals have noted that, in some cases, it can take three to five weeks or more for a recall to be processed through the system and reach the public.
By helping FDA staff analyze food safety reports and identify high-risk trends more quickly, Elsa could shorten that timeframe. While it won’t eliminate delays entirely, the tool could facilitate faster responses during outbreaks or contamination events, improving how and when consumers are notified.
The agency has acknowledged that Elsa is still in the early stages of implementation. Some FDA staffers have expressed concerns about Elsa’s accuracy with large data sets and the need for human oversight, as reported by BioSpace, STAT News, and NBC News. However, Elsa’s implementation represents a shift: AI is now part of food safety decision-making, even if it’s not yet reflected on the packaging.
For now, Elsa remains behind the scenes. But the questions it raises—about visibility, trust, and the future of food labeling—are beginning to take shape.
Source: foodandwine.com
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