How AI enhances compliance: The smarter way for F&B and CPG Teams to succeed

If artificial intelligence (AI) promises anything, it’s the ability to help people work smarter by augmenting the expertise they bring to the table. The best AI tools don’t just automate tasks; they turn complex, time-consuming processes into seamless, intuitive workflows powered by real-time data and instant document exchange.

In F&B (food and beverage) and CPG (consumer packaged goods) environments especially, AI can optimize the critical sourcing and compliance-management processes that teams rely on. It can also open the lines of communication between buyers and suppliers without creating bottlenecks or requiring manual oversight. 

“Buyers can often have a lot of the control in the buyer-supplier relationship,” explains Amber Van Mansfeld, TraceGains growth manager. “AI helps you take some of that control back and rebalance power. Instead of reacting to buyer requests, you can anticipate demands, optimize strategies, and proactively manage compliance documentation to maintain greater control over operations.”  

Here are three ways AI can help create and maintain valuable customer connections without increasing your team’s workload.

1. It Presents New Ways to Interact with Customers

Different buyers have different communication preferences. An AI-driven compliance and supply chain management platform can help suppliers align their communication approaches with those of their customers.

For instance, instead of sending emails back and forth, or picking up the phone, buyers can visit a central location to ask for key details on documentation, pricing, or product capabilities. It’s a simple way for them to ask all their questions without back-and-forth delays. It’s also a faster way for supplier teams to respond to many inquiries quickly, instead of managing multiple questions coming from multiple communication streams (texts, emails, voicemails, chat logs, etc.).

“It’s often a more comfortable avenue for everyone to use,” explains Van Mansfeld. “Similar to how we’re more comfortable texting vs. calling a person sometimes, this is an easy way to ask and respond to questions for everyone.”

Where does AI fit in here? Using TraceGains as an example, AI helps automate data verification and compliance. If a buyer requests Certificates of Analysis (COAs), for example, then AI helps extract and validate the necessary information to accelerate response times. 

2. It Keeps Track of Expirations for Buyers and Suppliers

AI can help create a dynamic environment where regulatory changes and document expirations are proactively monitored. Instead of your team having to keep track of changing requirements and upcoming document expirations, an AI-powered platform can manage compliance documents for you so you don’t have to manually track renewal timelines.

All expiring documents can be easily centralized in one place so team members can filter through them, pinpoint documents nearing expiration, and take action before compliance gaps arise. Alerts can also be established so teams receive notifications when key compliance documents need to be updated.

This automated approach makes compliance easier not only for suppliers but also for buyers, letting all parties know when documents are nearing expiration so they don’t miss critical updates.

“This means that all of your core compliance documents, such as third-party audits, allergen statements, letters of continuing guarantee, and certifications, are very easily updated,” says Van Mansfeld. “They should never expire.”

3. It Supports Proactive Compliance Fulfillment

Distributing updated compliance documents to large numbers of customers can be taxing to teams. Instead of manually tracking which documents need to be updated (and when those updates need to be distributed), AI can help suppliers efficiently distribute compliance materials without sending mass emails or waiting for specific requests.

New versions of key documents can be uploaded to a centralized location so customers always have access to the latest information. Updated documents can be automatically re-shared with customers who previously received them to maintain communication without manual intervention.  

Customers can be automatically notified when a document has been updated so they can review the refreshed materials and stay compliant without back-and-forth communication. This helps your team make sure updates reach the right customers at the right time without lots of manual work.

Focus on the Right Work

AI doesn’t replace the work your team does. It serves a much more powerful purpose: It allows professionals to focus on what they do best — and gives them more time to do it. By automating routine tasks and providing actionable insights, AI empowers F&B professionals to focus on strategic decision-making, innovation, and meaningful engagement. 

“The buyer-supplier relationship is critical, and an AI-driven platform like TraceGains can give you the tools to facilitate that collaboration,” says Van Mansfeld. “It gives you a faster, easier way to stay connected.”

Upgrade to smarter compliance. Learn how to help your team succeed with AI-powered solutions from TraceGains.