Food and beverage companies across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are ramping up investments in food safety and traceability technology. This trend is a response to increasing local challenges and complex supply chain issues, fuelled by climate change, public health risks, and emerging regulations.
As home to some of the world’s largest consumer bases, including China, India, and Indonesia, the APAC region has a uniquely diverse food supply network, encompassing multiple cultures, cuisines, and production landscapes. This diversity, however, has led to heightened risks related to food safety, prompting firms to turn to technology for better control and monitoring.
Dr. Purwiyatno Hariyadi from Southeast Asia’s Food and Agriculture Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Institute emphasized that climate-induced temperature changes exacerbate the three major food safety threats in APAC: microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards. “Climate change accelerates these issues, posing risks such as salmonellosis, contamination from natural disasters, and plant and seafood toxin absorption,” he stated. With 600 million people worldwide suffering from foodborne illnesses annually, the stakes are high for the food industry.
Traceability technology is emerging as a powerful tool to tackle these issues. Singapore-based DiMuto, a company specializing in food supply chain traceability, believes visibility is critical. “With visibility, food companies can gather vital data about product origin, safety tests, and lab certifications,” DiMuto representatives noted, adding that recent industry shifts show a growing openness to technologies like blockchain and AI for enhanced transparency.
As food safety demands mount, regulatory agencies are stepping up their oversight. India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) recently undertook large-scale testing of milk and dairy products, citing concerns over contaminants such as veterinary drugs and heavy metals. Australia is also strengthening its focus on traceability to address food fraud and antimicrobial resistance, an issue arising from antibiotic use in livestock. “The use of antibiotics in food animals could elevate the risk of resistant bacteria entering the food chain,” said Fiona Fleming, CEO of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives are also driving this tech transformation. Companies like Thai Union and Nestlé now prioritize transparency and traceability to meet ESG reporting requirements. Thai Union’s 2025 Tuna Commitment aims for 100% transparency across its supply chain, while Nestlé mandates that suppliers ensure traceability of ingredients to prevent human rights and environmental risks.
The European Union’s recent Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) further mandates strict traceability for firms exporting to the EU. To retain market access, companies must provide precise geographic data for sourcing locations, highlighting the growing need for interoperable traceability systems. “Interoperability is key to comprehensive risk management,” Fleming stressed, calling for standardized data protocols.
Looking ahead, newer technologies like Singapore’s NaturalTag molecular tracing system are setting new standards, offering traceability solutions for individual food items, such as fruits or coffee beans. This tech shift, fuelled by a wider adoption of AI and cloud-based platforms, could redefine food safety across APAC, potentially transforming job roles in the food industry and optimizing supply chain efficiency.
As APAC’s food industry continues to grow, the integration of advanced technology into food safety and traceability processes is anticipated to reshape industry standards, ensuring a safer and more transparent supply chain for millions of consumers.