After more than a decade of informing and connecting the global food safety community through independent journalism, conferences, webinars, and expert insights, Food Safety Tech is expanding its mission with the launch of Food Safety Tech Research (FSTR), a dedicated research and advisory practice focused exclusively on the intersection of food safety, technology, and data driven operational performance.
FSTR is launching with its flagship Food Safety Digital Maturity Benchmark, an independent industry study designed to establish the first comprehensive benchmark of how food and beverage manufacturers are adopting digital technologies, where they are succeeding, where they face barriers, and how digital maturity influences food safety, operational resilience, and business performance.
For years, food companies have invested in software, automation, artificial intelligence, analytics, laboratory systems, traceability, and connected technologies without an independent benchmark to understand what meaningful progress or outcomes looks like. Vendors publish case studies. Analysts publish opinions. Individual organizations measure themselves. Until now, the industry has lacked an independent, research driven benchmark that objectively measures digital maturity and tech use cases across food manufacturing.
Food Safety Tech Research was created to close that gap. Through primary research, advisory services, and longitudinal benchmark studies, FSTR will generate practical intelligence that helps manufacturers make more informed investment decisions while providing solution providers, insurers, investors, and other stakeholders with credible market insights.
“The food industry has reached a point where digital transformation is no longer optional, but organizations still lack independent evidence that helps them separate technology promises from measurable business outcomes,” said David Hatch, Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer of Food Safety Tech Research. “Our goal is to create trusted research-driven insights that helps organizations understand where they are today, where they can improve tomorrow, and how the industry is evolving over time.”
Rick Biros, Founder and President of Innovative Publishing, Publisher of Food Safety Tech, and Co-Founder of Food Safety Tech Research, said the launch represents a natural evolution of Food Safety Tech’s mission. “For over fifteen years, Food Safety Tech has helped the industry understand emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices. FSTR extends that mission by generating original research that the industry can use to make smarter decisions and accelerate meaningful progress.”
The launch also opens participation in the inaugural Food Safety Digital Maturity Benchmark. Qualified professionals from food and beverage manufacturers are invited to contribute confidentially and anonymously. Participants will receive a findings report and a personalized maturity scorecard while helping establish an independent benchmark that will benefit the broader industry.
Take the Food Safety Digital Maturity Benchmark SurveyEarly findings from the benchmark study will be shared throughout the fall, culminating in the official public debut of Food Safety Tech Research during the 15th Anniversary Food Safety Consortium Conference & Expo, October 21 through 23, 2026, in Washington, DC. The conference, organized by Food Safety Tech, will provide the industry’s first opportunity to explore the benchmark findings, discuss emerging trends, and engage directly with FSTR leadership.
Food Safety Tech Research is a subsidiary of Innovative Publishing and operates as the research and advisory division of Food Safety Tech.