Truckloads of food are being wasted because computers won’t approve them

Key Points:

• The UK food system increasingly relies on digital authorization and automated decision-making, meaning food shipments cannot proceed without system approval, making unverified food effectively unusable.
• Cyberattacks and system failures have demonstrated the vulnerability of these digital-dependent supply chains, causing disruptions even when physical food supplies are available but cannot be distributed.
• The reduction of manual backup procedures and trained personnel to override or intervene in automated systems exacerbates risks, especially amid workforce shortages in logistics and inspection roles.
• Food security depends not only on supply but also on digital authorization processes, highlighting the need for transparent governance, human oversight, and accountability in AI-driven food distribution systems.
• Ensuring resilience requires maintaining human skills to manage system failures, conducting regular drills, and balancing commercial confidentiality with public safety to prevent food from becoming inaccessible due to digital system breakdowns.