The One Thing AI Can’t Replace in Food Regulation

Episode Summary

How can food companies turn regulatory strategy from a reactive function into a competitive advantage? In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Katy Jones, CEO of Trustwell, speaks with Susan Bond, founder of Bond Advisory Group and Chief Regulatory Strategist at The B2B Builder LLC.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience at the FDA and across the global food industry, Susan explains why regulatory thinking should begin at the earliest stages of product development. By involving regulatory teams early, companies can move faster on ingredient innovation, avoid costly setbacks, and build products that are better aligned with evolving consumer and market expectations.

The conversation explores the complexity of navigating global food standards, from GRAS notifications to labeling and marketing claims. Susan also discusses the growing role of AI in food technology, along with its limitations when interpreting nuanced public policy and regulatory intent. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of clear risk communication and ingredient transparency in building consumer trust.

Katy and Susan also examine how brands can strengthen collaboration between R&D, legal, marketing, and regulatory teams to support smarter innovation and more resilient product strategies. For food industry leaders focused on safety, compliance, and long-term growth, this episode offers practical insights into turning regulatory expertise into a driver of business value.