A food-safety expert explains why more recalls aren't necessarily a bad thing — and how AI plays a role

Willette M. Crawford has spent two decades working in food safety. She said AI is helping experts manage massive amounts of data. Courtesy of Willette Crawford; Getty Images AI is being used to improve foodborne outbreak detection and help manage recall decisions. Food safety consultant Willette Crawford said AI can help workers sift through vast datasets. High costs and non-uniform data remain challenges to AI adoption in food safety. For a brief period this summer, no fresh produce seemed safe . Lettuce, jalapenos, and blueberries were among a steady stream of recalls and food safety alerts that kept consumers on high alert. Willette M. Crawford, a food science consultant who has spent two decades researching predictive food safety , said AI has become a useful tool for enabling faster, more targeted approaches to outbreaks.