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SHOPPERS can count on quality as the national grocer implements a new advanced technology.
At a time when many businesses are seeking to make distribution more efficient, a major grocer made a big addition to their process.
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Albertsons Companies has developed a new AI tool to help weed out moldy and squishy fruit that can end up in stores’ produce section.
Albertsons, which runs over 2,000 grocery stores, including Safeway, Jewel-Osco, and ACME, released a press release this week stating that the AI technology is designed “to help ensure customers consistently receive fresh, high-quality produce,” according to the release.
The company’s Quality Control tool uses computer vision to support distribution center associates as they maintain the high standards for quality across all brands.
The tool was built in-house by Albertsons‘ technology and supply chain teams, and uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise, including Vision AI and Gemini models, according to the press release.
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“We built the AI-powered Intelligent Quality Control tool to support our team of talented quality inspectors in our distribution centers, and early results show it’s been incredibly helpful in increasing the consistency of quality rating which is crucial for highly perishable products such as fruits and vegetables,” said Evan Rainwater, EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer for Albertsons Cos.
The tool, which is initially focused on quality inspections of strawberries and red and green grapes, is helping Albertsons Cos. improve four operational pillars: increase in rating consistency, faster decision-making, expanded quality data, and alignment with standards.
The tools imaging abilities create a highly standardized rating system, which is given to the distribution center’s quality control inspector for approval.
The company is in the process of expanding the tool to include blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, it told USA Today.
It will eventually be used on apples, cherries, and citrus fruits.
In addition to mold and overripe fruit, the tool also looks for “bruising, discoloration, decay, overripe, underripe and insect damage,” Albertsons said.
The AI tool is currently being used in four Albertsons Cos. distribution centers, but will be expanding to all locations later this year, the company told USA Today.
Andy Harig, vice president of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development at FMI, The Food Industry Association, which works on the behalf of the food and grocery industry, said that AI can be helpful to reduce waste in one of the most challenging departments – produce.
“We’re also seeing momentum around tools that evaluate quality, freshness, and appearance – building on earlier innovations like smart labels – with AI now making these solutions more affordable and easier to scale, which ultimately means less waste,” Harig told USA Today.
This is not the first time Albertsons has been ahead of the curve with the implementation of AI.
The national grocer was among the first retailers to use Google Cloud’s Conversational Commerce agent in its Ask Ai tool.
The tool helps customers quickly put together personalized shopping baskets though product discovery, personal suggestions, and a more intuitive shopping experience, according to the press release.
The AI deployments are part of Albertsons’ broader goal of modernizing its capabilities through AI, in both back-end quality systems and customer facing systems.
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