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A dairy factory worker controls the fermentation of cheese for food production. (Image Credit: ID 192368639 © Dmitry Kalinovsky | Dreamstime.com)
Food processing

New AI technology revolutionizing food fermentation

Jun 24, 2026 | 4:10 PM

Protein Industries Canada has announced a new artificial intelligence project aimed at creating more value from agricultural resources. 

The project, with Crush Dynamics and Atomic47 Labs, will develop an AI-enabled fermentation platform that uses existing industrial sensors and machine learning to monitor fermentation conditions, food safety indicators, energy performance and process health in real time. 

Protein Industries Canada CEO Tyler Groeneveld said the technology could reduce energy use, improve product consistency, increase efficiency and unlock new value from agricultural byproducts. 

“With the development of a new AI system that helps improve energy usage while reducing waste, Canada’s food processors can make great strides in not just strengthening our domestic food supply chain, but also in improving food options for families here and around the world,” Groeneveld said. 

Crush Dynamics CEO Kirk Moir said the work will help make fermentation more predictable, scalable and cost-effective. 

“This project is about making more from what we already grow,” Moir said. “We’re combining our fermentation technology with advanced AI to help transform agricultural side streams into high-value ingredients more efficiently and consistently. It’s an important step toward reducing waste, improving sustainability and strengthening Canada’s food manufacturing sector.” 

The project has received $1.4 million, including $607,000 from Protein Industries Canada, with the partners covering the remainder. 

Protein Industries Canada’s AI stream is funded through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. 

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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