Although there were whispers of an impending digital revolution, comprehensive food safety regulations had not yet been implemented. The Food Safety Modernization Act (2011) was yet to establish the standardized safety protocols that are now commonplace in food processing environments worldwide. Modern plants are defined by high-speed automation with machines processing 200 to 300 packs per minute and requiring minimal human intervention. This is when the US enacted its most sweeping food safety rules, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Listen to Steve Gidman’s recent podcast interview with Food Engineering Magazine for more reflections on Fortress Technology’s 30 year food safety journey covering analogue to digital to AI.