How AI-Driven Insights Help Food Companies Slash Waste and Meet Changing Consumer Demands

Tastewise: How AI Helps Food Companies Cut Waste and Align with Consumer Demand

Food waste is a massive problem, costing the planet up to five times more than the aviation industry. While flying less is a known climate solution, reducing food waste offers one of the easiest and most impactful ways to fight climate change. Yet in the US, food waste reached a four-year high in 2024, with 41% coming from food businesses, according to ReFED.

Many companies have set goals to lower food waste. Looking ahead to 2025, key factors shaping the fight include inflation, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, the upcoming COP30, and artificial intelligence (AI). Sara Burnett, ReFED's executive director, highlights AI's potential to process massive datasets and predict consumer behavior, such as how many apples will sell on a rainy day in Boston.

Introducing Tastewise: AI-Powered Consumer Insights for Food Waste Reduction

Tastewise is an AI-driven platform that helps food companies reduce waste by analyzing real-time consumer data to identify what people actually want. Co-founder and CEO Alon Chen points out that it can take brands 12 to 24 months to develop and launch new products. By the time products hit shelves, consumer preferences may have shifted, causing mismatches that lead to overstocking and waste. Tastewise estimates that 90% of product launches fail, creating massive waste.

The platform analyzes over 75 billion social media posts, a trillion online recipes, and extensive grocery and restaurant data to help companies like Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Campbell’s create in-demand products while minimizing waste.

How Tastewise Works: Data-Driven Product Development and Inventory Optimization

Chen explains that Tastewise continuously mines millions of social media posts, reviews, recipes, and menus worldwide to track consumer habits and emerging trends with high accuracy. This enables food brands, manufacturers, and restaurants to make smarter decisions at the source of waste.

The platform helps businesses develop products and menus aligned with actual consumption patterns. It also provides predictive insights to retailers, allowing them to anticipate demand and optimize shelf placement by grouping complementary products. This reduces inefficiencies and prevents unnecessary food waste.

Restaurants benefit by quickly adjusting menus to match trending dishes and ingredient preferences, increasing sales and reducing leftover food.

Focusing on Root Causes, Not Band-Aid Solutions

Tastewise prioritizes helping companies create products consumers won’t waste, rather than running food waste campaigns. The World Economic Forum notes that the $10 trillion food and beverage industry generates over $19 trillion in medical and environmental costs. Chen emphasizes that shifting responsibility solely to consumers is unsustainable.

Instead, Tastewise empowers brands to design products based on consumer values and preferences, considering eating environments and popular ingredients to minimize waste.

At-Home Food Waste: An Opportunity for Influence

Although Tastewise doesn’t directly reduce at-home food waste, it gives companies insights to craft products that people are less likely to discard. A recent survey showed that enjoyment of specific foods and cuisines impacts waste far more than convenience. By decoding trends and consumer needs, Tastewise helps brands create flavors and marketing strategies that maximize product enjoyment and reduce waste.

GLP-1 Drugs and Their Impact on Food Waste

According to PwC’s 2023 GLP-1 Trends & Impact Survey, over 35% of Americans are interested in GLP-1 products, which reduce food consumption by 20-30%. This shift is already influencing consumer behavior:

• Higher demand for high-protein and fiber-rich foods as conventional snacking habits change.
• Rise of meal replacements and altered meal structures, with breakfast becoming more prominent.
• Increased consumption of carbohydrates like bagels and tortillas.

These trends could significantly reduce food waste if managed well. However, companies need to adapt through reformulating products, adjusting portion sizes, and repositioning to help consumers minimize waste.

Current Trends Helping Cut Food Waste

Economic uncertainty is driving interest in:

• Upcycled ingredients
• Root-to-stem cooking and nose-to-tail meat consumption
• Smarter portioning based on real-time data
• Preservation methods like fermentation
• Transparent packaging that highlights sustainability efforts

These approaches not only reduce waste but also meet growing consumer demand for ethical and sustainable food choices.

Systemic Change Through Data-Driven Decision-Making

Tastewise equips food brands with AI-powered insights drawn from menus, recipes, social media, consumption patterns, and purchasing behavior. This approach helps companies develop relevant products, anticipate demand accurately, and optimize menus and supply chains.

By reducing overproduction and excess inventory, Tastewise tackles two major causes of food waste. It also supports cultural shifts by encouraging zero-waste cooking, upcycled ingredients, and conscious consumption. This fosters smarter decisions at every stage, replacing waste with efficiency and purpose.

The Role of Government and Regulation

Chen stresses that while consumer choices matter, lasting change requires structural support. Tastewise data shows that although most people cook at home, under 1% use food waste strategies. Policy can help close this gap through:

• Clear food labeling
• Incentives for upcycling
• Support for food recovery infrastructure

Innovation combined with regulation is key to scaling impact in reducing food waste and its environmental footprint.

For professionals in product development, tools like Tastewise offer practical ways to align product lines with real-time consumer demand, reduce waste, and drive sustainability while maintaining profitability.