Food South Australia has launched a first-of-its-kind AI-powered Environmental Sustainability Search Tool, designed to revolutionise how South Australian food and beverage producers identify the necessary environmental sustainability accreditations for their products in local and international markets.
AskSASI, or SASI for short is the South Australian Environmental Sustainability Accreditation Searcher and Investigator which is poised to help assist businesses in navigating the complex landscape of environmental sustainability accreditations.
This innovative, 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.
ESG compliance is becoming increasingly important to consumers and international supply chains, and South Australian food and beverage manufacturing businesses are facing the challenge of determining which sustainability indicators, credentials and accreditations are relevant for export markets due to the absence of a unified global accreditation system.
Ray Borda, Chair of Food South Australia says the organisation is constantly seeking ways to support our members and the broader industry in solving their problems.
“Environmental Sustainability Accreditation can be complex for small businesses to navigate”, he said.
“We are excited to have developed AskSASI to simplify the process for food and beverage businesses to find the relevant accreditations for various markets,” added Mr Borda.
Businesses including Golden North Ice Cream and Drakes Supermarkets were among the early users of the tool, praising its user-friendly platform and clear descriptions.
The tool was developed by SA-based Web Design Café in with Adelaide Business School at the University of Adelaide, in a project managed by Hydra Consulting.
Travis Clapp, Senior AI Consultant at Web Design Café, emphasised the tool’s benefits: “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.”
AskSASI is currently a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with the aim for it to be taken to full capacity in the future.
