Under the leadership of an industry veteran with a wealth of experience in data technology, Neogen Analytics is helping food and beverage manufacturers leverage the best results it can out of food safety management platforms.
“I’ve spent three decades working in various data technology environments, with the last six and a half years specifically in the food and beverage industry,” said David Hatch, vice president, Digital Solutions Marketing, Neogen Corporation.
This expertise played a key role in the development of Neogen Analytics.
The journey began in January 2018, when Hatch and his colleague’s joined forces with a pair of microbiology doctoral candidates who had come out of MIT with ideas for rapid diagnostics of pathogens like Listeria and Salmonella. The result was the launch of Corvium, a software firm dedicated to automating food safety testing workflows and analytics.
Their partnership laid the groundwork for what would become a component of Neogen’s operations after its acquisition of the startup company in February 2023.
“Through my work with the team in those early days, I received a rapid education on how data and technology could impact food safety. It’s been an amazing discipline to learn,” said Hatch.
“And since becoming part of Neogen and gaining access to the global resources that come along with that, I am genuinely excited by how much we’ve been able to develop the platform and what we have already been able to achieve for the companies using it.”
“In this industry, it quickly becomes clear that the people involved understand that lives are at stake every day. It’s motivating to know that, in some small way, we contribute to making the world a safer place to eat. Not every job offers that kind of fulfilment.”
This sense of purpose drives Hatch and the team at Neogen to continuously innovate and refine its platform.
“I’ve always been drawn to how data and information can impact organisations, businesses, communities, and populations,” said Hatch.
“The speed of communication and how well it’s understood are crucial factors in driving positive outcomes.”
Drawing from his background in healthcare analytics, he sees parallels between the two fields.
“The diagnostics from Neogen’s testing devices and laboratories assess the health of a facility, similar to how we evaluate patient health in healthcare,” said Hatch.
“Corrective actions in food safety are akin to treatment plans. By addressing these issues, we help customers lower their risks and avoid unexpected production line shutdowns, which can be very costly.”
At its core, Neogen Analytics offers a cloud-based digital platform designed to streamline food safety testing workflows and time-to-information.
“We’ve built software that enables a variety of food safety applications to operate within it,” said Hatch.
“For instance, our environmental monitoring application digitises and automates environmental monitoring programs, while our product testing program enables our customers to better manage risk and quality objectives. The system connects Neogen’s testing devices to the platform, enabling data to be unified and delivered to any internet-connected browser device.”
This modular approach allows customers to transition from outdated methods, such as spreadsheets and paper, to an automated digital system.
“Many organisations have ineffective methods for collecting and analysing data, which prevents them from taking necessary actions,” said Hatch.
Empowering food safety professionals
“We want to reduce the time it takes to access information, enabling food suppliers to quickly see diagnostic results and take action before issues escalate into costly problems,” said Hatch.
One of the standout features of the platform is its ability to visualise data.
“When users log into the software, one of the first things they see is a dynamic map of their facility,” said Hatch.
This map, which uses the customers’ engineering drawings or digital photos, provides a clear and intuitive representation of test points and their statuses.
“This feature has become one of the most beloved components of our program because it conveys information in a way that’s accessible to food safety professionals, who may not be as tech-savvy as financial analysts,” said Hatch.
The demand for such solutions has surged over the past six years, indicating a shift in industry expectations.
Audits play a crucial role in maintaining food safety standards.
“When a third-party auditor sees that a company has command and control over its food safety data, it makes a strong impression,” said Hatch.
“One customer shared that they turned their laptop to face the auditor to show a map of the entire floor plan, which demonstrated the level of organisation and control over their food safety processes.”
This ability to present data in an organised manner not only facilitates audits but also builds confidence among food manufacturers.
“Instead of sifting through pages of documentation, they can access everything they need right there,”
said Hatch.
“This display of data transforms relationships and word spreads, our customers recognise that we’re doing something different.”
As Neogen Analytics continues to evolve, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into its platform is on the horizon.
“We’re moving in the right direction, but there’s still work to be done,” said Hatch.
The platform is already designed to track trends and patterns in food safety data, allowing users to recognise potential issues before they escalate.
“We ingest at least six months’ worth of data during a new customer implementation, so from day one, customers have trending graphs ready,” added Hatch.
This proactive approach helps to detect potential issues before they amount to non-conformances that could lead to production disruptions.
The platform is built to be open and integrative, allowing customers to connect data from their existing testing devices, third-party laboratories, and other data sources.
“All of our customers use some form of laboratory for diagnostics, and we’ve built an integration engine to handle data in any format it comes to us,” said Hatch.
This flexibility ensures that Neogen Analytics can meet the diverse needs of its clientele.
The growing emphasis on sustainability is another emerging focus for the company. As companies face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprints, Neogen’s platform helps them analyse data and discover new efficiencies within their production processes.
“One large meat producer began looking at how they could minimise waste and energy consumption,”
said Hatch.
“They were able to determine the root causes of scrapped production runs and reduce the occurrence of
this scenario.
“This led to improved production yield while reducing the energy and landfill consumed by waste.”
By addressing these issues, companies can not only comply with regulations but also enhance their operational efficiency.
“One of our board members has emphasised the importance of sustainability, prompting us to think about how our solutions align with these initiatives,” said Hatch.
Neogen Analytics has a robust platform that empowers customers to take control of their food safety processes. The company is making strides in ensuring that the food supply remains safe and reliable.
As the industry evolves, Neogen Analytics remains committed to leveraging technology and data to drive positive outcomes in food safety, ultimately contributing to a healthier and safer world.
“This is what excites me, Neogen shares this vision and has allowed me to take part in leading the messaging and launch of these initiatives globally.” said Hatch.