{"id":688,"date":"2025-09-02T10:50:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T08:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/?post_type=news&#038;p=688"},"modified":"2025-09-02T17:21:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T15:21:41","slug":"ia-in-the-food-industry-nestle-unilever-kraft-heinz-transform-their-processes","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/ia-dans-lagroalimentaire-nestle-unilever-kraft-heinz-transforment-leurs-process\/","title":{"rendered":"AI in the food industry: When the giants go on an algorithmic diet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>AI in the food industry is transforming the industry with the subtlety of a mixer in mayonnaise: there is no turning back. Four giants - Nestl\u00e9, Unilever, Kraft Heinz and Mondelez - have each developed their own proprietary recipe. Here's a look at how artificial intelligence is redefining the codes of food innovation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nestl\u00e9: AI as a catalyst for innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The ideas machine is running at full speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Vevey-based giant has industrialised creativity with results that would make any product manager green with envy: <strong>1,300 concepts generated<\/strong>, 30 of which are still in active development. More impressively, the R&amp;D cycle shrank from 12 weeks to 3 weeks, an acceleration of 75%. This performance is based on three technological pillars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Intelligent form optimisation :<\/strong> AI simultaneously analyses costs, regulatory compliance and nutritional objectives. Imagine a nutritionist with a quantum calculator - that's the Nestl\u00e9 approach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creative digital twins :<\/strong> No more repetitive photo shoots. Digital models generate packshots, localised visuals and seasonal campaigns without mobilising physical creative teams.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supply chain under surveillance :<\/strong> Contract analysis covers 80% of supplier spend, automatically detecting discrepancies between global clauses and local application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Critical analysis: strengths and limitations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Highlight:<\/strong> The holistic approach avoids the pitfall of technological silos. <strong>Zone d'ombre :<\/strong> Could algorithmic dependency erode the spontaneous creativity of teams?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Unilever: Simulation as a new field of experimentation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Millions of tests, zero test tubes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unilever takes virtualisation to the extreme: millions of recipe combinations tested in a few seconds via simulation <em>in-silico<\/em>. This approach is particularly effective for simultaneously integrating texture, microbiology and industrial constraints. <strong>Practical case study :<\/strong> Hellmann's vegetable mayonnaise and its squeeze bottle version were entirely designed virtually before any physical prototyping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Measuring operational efficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>3D digital twins (Nvidia Omniverse, OpenUSD) generate substantial savings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cost reduction: -55%<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time acceleration: -65%<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Unilever's Polish plant is a perfect example of this optimisation, with 10% in energy savings and 20% in reduced cleaning cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic diagnosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Major innovation:<\/strong> Integrating industrial constraints right from the design phase. <strong>Questioning:<\/strong> Can simulations totally replace human sensory intuition?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mondelez: Speed and personalisation, the winning combination<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tenfold increase in productivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>70 new SKUs developed at a speed 2 to 5 times faster than traditional methods. This acceleration is based on two complementary levers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Generative marketing :<\/strong> Personalised images, text and video produced using generative AI (Accenture partnership).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Real-time analytics :<\/strong> Automatic transformation of data flows into decision-making insights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"From POC to Production: How Mondel\u0113z Builds Trustworthy AI\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xVCNdmeyb6E?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Technical focus: TasteGPT and directed innovation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The tool developed with Thoughtworks (70+ projects) was used to create the Gluten Free Golden Oreo without compromising on taste. The approach combines trend analysis and form optimisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Key Insight :<\/strong> Personalisation doesn't sacrifice authenticity - it multiplies it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kraft Heinz: Quality under algorithmic control<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global predictive supervision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The digital \u00abcontrol tower\u00bb orchestrates the supply chain via digital twins in real time, anticipating anomalies before they manifest themselves physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Applied artificial vision :<\/strong> Detection of individual defects (e.g. one non-conforming cucumber among thousands) with a precision greater than that of the human eye.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Intelligent watch :<\/strong> TasteGPT (Tastewise platform) captures and analyses emerging food signals to fuel product innovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Differentiating strength:<\/strong> A preventive rather than corrective approach. <strong>Potential limit :<\/strong> The risk of standardising quality standards.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Danone: Internal training, the revealing blind spot<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although not included in the initial request, the case of Danone deserves attention: in fact, the company is organising systematic training for Polish teams in AI tools (digital twins, predictive maintenance, generative agents) in collaboration with Microsoft to optimise purchasing data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Teaching :<\/strong> Technology without human support remains sterile.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Deciphering the strategic patterns of AI in the food industry: 4 emerging models<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This mapping reveals four archetypes of approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The catalyst<\/strong> (Nestl\u00e9): AI as an accelerator for existing processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The virtuoso<\/strong> (Unilever) : Simulation as a substitute for physical experimentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agile<\/strong> (Mondelez): Massive speed and personalisation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The supervisor<\/strong> (Kraft Heinz): Predictive control and algorithmic quality<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Comparative ROI analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Time reduction :<\/strong> -75% (Nestl\u00e9) vs -65% (Unilever)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost optimisation :<\/strong> -55% visual creation vs -10% energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Productive multiplication :<\/strong> x2-5 references vs millions of simulations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic implications for B2B decision-makers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The 4 critical questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Should everything be virtualised?<\/strong> Simulation does not replace sensory intuition - it enhances it. The balance remains to be found.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How can we avoid standardisation?<br><\/strong> AI standardises processes, but can homogenise outputs. The differentiation lies in the proprietary datasets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How should algorithms be governed?<\/strong> The transparency of AI decisions is crucial to maintaining consumer confidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Can we trust AI completely? <\/strong>No, as recently demonstrated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/scientific-fraud-lia-makes-fake-articles-almost-undetectable\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"660\">its ability to manipulate scientific information<\/a>...<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Operational recommendations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start small:<\/strong> Pilot for a defined product segment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Massive training :<\/strong> Technological adoption requires human acculturation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Precise measurement:<\/strong> Qualitative as well as quantitative ROI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preserving DNA :<\/strong> AI must amplify singularity, not erase it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Checking sources<\/strong> from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/when-lia-blurs-the-trail-the-problem-of-information-sources\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"447\"> AI information<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Outlook: Towards an algorithmic food industry?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These transformations are shaping an industry where human creativity and artificial intelligence combine to push back the boundaries of food innovation. The giants have paved the way - now it's up to the mid-sized players to define their own recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Final question:<\/strong> In this race for algorithmic optimisation, who will best preserve the complex alchemy of authentic taste?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodnavigator.com\/Article\/2025\/06\/17\/what-are-nestle-unilever-kraft-heinz-and-mondelez-doing-with-ai\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.foodnavigator.com\/Article\/2025\/06\/17\/what-are-nestle-unilever-kraft-heinz-and-mondelez-doing-with-ai\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FoodNavigator (17 June 2025), <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/oreo-owner-mondelez-taps-ai-to-tweak-its-classic-snacks-6fa4c4cd?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/oreo-owner-mondelez-taps-ai-to-tweak-its-classic-snacks-6fa4c4cd?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Silverwood Partners<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false},"class_list":["post-688","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}