Food South Australia has launched a first-of-its-kind AI-powered search tool to help the state’s food and beverage producers identify which environmental sustainability accreditations they need for their products in Australia and overseas.
With the absence of a unified global accreditation system, AskSASI.com.au – South Australian Environmental Sustainability Accreditation Searcher and Investigator – provides the indicators, credentials, and accreditations relevant to different markets.
The user-friendly, web-based tool utilises AI technology to search the Food South Australia Sustainability Matrix, providing tailored information specific to each business and its products, through a series of questions.
Food South Australia and End Food Waste Australia funded the project, and the Adelaide Business School at the University of Adelaide, was commissioned to develop AskSASI as a business decision-making tool.
Adelaide Business School associate professor, Dr Rebecca Dolan, said AskSASI built on work the school had completed for the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science on improving the understanding and use of environmental sustainability accreditations.
“Our team is really excited to see that this groundwork has resulted in the development of AskSASI, and we are confident that it will be of great benefit to many South Australian food and beverage producers looking to understand the importance of adding sustainability accreditations to their product offerings depending on their export markets of choice,” Dolan said.
South Australian-based Web Design Café developed the tool in conjunction with Adelaide Business School and the project was managed by Hydra Consulting.
Web Design Café senior AI consultant, Travis Clapp, said, “AskSASI harnesses cutting-edge AI technology to streamline the process of identifying the necessary environmental sustainability accreditations for exporting food products.
“By inputting product details and target markets, businesses receive customised accreditation requirements, enhancing their ability to meet international standards efficiently and effectively.
“This tool is a valuable resource for South Australian food and beverage producers aiming to expand globally.”
Five Food South Australia members participated in trialling AskSASI, including Golden North Ice Cream.
Golden North Ice Cream manager for Supermarkets & Export, David Wilson, said AskSASI provided critical information that was valuable for planning and developing export strategies. “It is very user-friendly with clear descriptions and provides results with a few clicks of your mouse, allowing anyone to extract the information at speed,” Wilson said.
Food South Australia chair, Ray Borda, said environmental sustainability accreditation can be complex for small businesses to navigate.
“Food South Australia is committed to innovation in both food products and technology and is constantly seeking ways to support our members and the broader industry in solving their problems.
“We are excited to have developed AskSASI to simplify the process for food and beverage businesses to find the relevant accreditations for various markets,” Borda said.
AskSASI is currently a Minimum Viable Product with the aim for it to be taken to full capacity in the future. The tool stems from the South Australian Food and Beverage 5-Year Export Strategy, which highlighted the need for businesses to have relevant environmental sustainability accreditations to maintain and grow access in key markets.
