In a significant move towards enhancing food safety and transparency in supply chains, Wiliot, a leader in ambient Internet of Things (IoT) technology, has announced a groundbreaki...
In a significant move towards enhancing food safety and transparency in supply chains, Wiliot, a leader in ambient Internet of Things (IoT) technology, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with iFoodDS and Trustwell. This collaboration aims to integrate Wiliot’s ambient IoT data into the software solutions of both companies, enabling real-time, fully automated, item-level traceability.
Wiliot's ambient IoT is a battery-free wireless technology embedded in various wireless standards, including Bluetooth, 5G Advanced, 6G, and Wi-Fi. This technology connects food products to the internet and AI capabilities at a significantly lower cost than traditional technologies. This initiative not only addresses food safety and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 but also promotes more efficient store operations and competition on quality and value.
Steve Statler, Wiliot’s Chief Marketing Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of ambient IoT. "Empowered by the unprecedented capabilities of the ambient IoT, the entire food industry can move beyond QR codes, advance shipping notices, and electronic documentation to a new traceability paradigm that is infinitely faster, entirely real-time, and drastically reduces the cost of manual labor and technology infrastructure," said Statler. "We look forward to working with iFoodDS and Trustwell to help some of the country’s largest food companies both meet FSMA 204 requirements, while simultaneously adding more value in terms of sustainability, freshness, and operational efficiency that advances the entire food industry."
Trustwell, known for its transparency-focused software and consulting solutions, will incorporate Wiliot’s ambient IoT data into its Trustwell Connect Platform. This integration promises brands comprehensive visibility across supply chains, ensuring full traceability, compliance, and data-driven operations. Julie McGill, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights at Trustwell, highlighted the impact of this integration. "More than 2,500 brands around the world rely on Trustwell to manage their regulatory requirements with more than 200 million Critical Tracking Events recorded using our FoodLogiQ Traceability software. The incorporation of Wiliot’s ambient IoT data into our tech solution is going to enable us to take food safety to a new level of traceability with precise execution," McGill stated.
iFoodDS, which aids food companies in delivering traceable, high-quality products, will also leverage Wiliot’s technology. Andrew Kennedy, Principal Traceability Advisor at iFoodDS, noted the synergy between the FDA’s FSMA Rule 204 and Wiliot’s technology. "The food industry can leverage this framework in conjunction with Wiliot’s Ambient IoT technology and iFoodDS software to significantly enhance food safety, food freshness, and operational efficiency. This game-changing technology will help usher in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety," Kennedy said.
The importance of modernizing food safety cannot be overstated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in six Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 fatalities. In response, the FDA finalized FSMA Rule 204 in November 2022, mandating comprehensive food traceability to better respond to foodborne illnesses and contamination. The food industry must comply with this rule by January 2026.
Frank Yiannas, former Deputy Commissioner of the FDA and a key author of FSMA Rule 204, endorsed the partnership’s potential. "This goal of better protecting consumers cannot be achieved without creating greater transparency and traceability throughout the entire chain of food production distribution system," Yiannas remarked. "Wiliot, iFoodDS, and Trustwell are uniquely equipped to make this transparency a reality faster and more efficiently thanks to their collective embrace of a new technology paradigm unlike anything we’ve seen before."
Wiliot’s battery-free ambient IoT Pixels can be attached to any food product or packaging, connecting it to the internet and providing real-time data on location, temperature, carbon footprint, and more. This technology equips food retailers and companies with the high-definition data required under FSMA Rule 204.
Currently, Wiliot is collaborating with iFoodDS and Trustwell on several FSMA 204 compliance pilot projects with major food companies in the U.S. These efforts are set to expand throughout 2024, in preparation for the January 2026 compliance deadline.