Wiliot, a pioneer in ambient Internet of Things (IoT) technology, has unveiled a groundbreaking food safety initiative aimed at enhancing transparency and traceability within the food industry. Partnering with industry leaders iFoodDS and Trustwell, Wiliot’s new initiative integrates ambient IoT data into their software solutions, providing real-time, automated item-level traceability.
The initiative supports compliance with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204, which mandates comprehensive traceability for certain foods. Ambient IoT technology, a battery-free wireless solution compatible with Bluetooth, 5G Advanced, 6G, and Wi-Fi, connects food products to the internet and leverages AI to improve safety and efficiency at a lower cost compared to traditional technologies.
Steve Statler, Wiliot’s CMO, emphasized the transformative potential of ambient IoT: “This technology enables the food industry to surpass traditional traceability methods like QR codes and electronic documentation, offering real-time, cost-effective traceability and reducing manual labour and infrastructure expenses. Our collaboration with iFoodDS and Trustwell will help major food companies meet FSMA 204 requirements while enhancing sustainability, freshness, and operational efficiency.”
Trustwell, known for its FoodLogiQ and Genesis products, aims to elevate supply chain transparency and safety. Julie McGill, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights at Trustwell, highlighted the benefits: “Integrating Wiliot’s ambient IoT data into the Trustwell Connect Platform will provide brands with a fully traceable, compliant, and data-driven supply chain, ensuring a trusted single source of truth.”
iFoodDS, which specializes in traceability, quality, and food safety solutions, also sees significant benefits. Andrew Kennedy, Principal Traceability Advisor at iFoodDS, remarked, “Wiliot’s ambient IoT technology, combined with our software, will greatly enhance food safety, freshness, and operational efficiency, aligning with the FDA’s FSMA 204 frameworks for smarter food safety.”
The FDA’s FSMA Rule 204, finalized in November 2022, aims to improve food safety by requiring end-to-end traceability for certain foods, moving beyond the ‘one-up, one-back’ system. The rule aims to better address foodborne illnesses and contamination issues, with full compliance required by January 2026.
Wiliot’s ambient IoT pixels, which can attach to any food product or packaging, provide real-time data on location, temperature, carbon footprint, and more. This technology is already being tested in FSMA 204 compliance pilot projects with major food companies, set to expand throughout 2024.
Frank Yiannas, former FDA Deputy Commissioner and author of FSMA Rule 204, now a Strategic Advisor to Wiliot, stated, “Achieving greater transparency and traceability in food production and distribution is crucial for consumer protection. Wiliot, iFoodDS, and Trustwell are uniquely positioned to realize this vision more effectively than ever before.”
The new ambient IoT food safety initiative promises to set a new standard for the food industry, ensuring safer and more efficient supply chains ahead of the 2026 compliance deadline.