To kick off our Northeastern Lecture Series, I give you an episode that feels like a spy flick than anything else.
Mitchell leads and manages food spies who look for food fraud in various companies and his mission in life is to make food authentic. This was all inspired by a food safety incident in China.
So this episode brings us to the complex world of food fraud, and how Mitchell promotes food authenticity through various services and non-profits. We also get into a discussion on blockchain. Though nobody seems to truly understand blockchain, Mitchell tells us why it might not be the panacea we’re looking for.
We do this interview live with Mitchell. Kinda cool, huh?
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Show Notes
What do you tell people you do?: I’m a Food Spy. I run a food intelligence gathering firm where I contract operatives all over the world
What do these spies do?: very good at gaining employment and taking audio and pictures
Examples:
Melamine in China
Honey Fraud
Peanut Corporation of America
In general, profit will always take over quality when push comes to shove
Has quality improved since you started or not?: Consumers want quality, but there’s a chance that it can be clever marketing
How do you get into a career in Food Fraud?: You have to try internally and create a system inside the company to test out. This takes a ton of courage.
The European Union Regulatory Environment is much more honest compared to the United States.
How did you get into food?: I was a lawyer in the semiconductor industry. When I was setting up an international trade company in China, I got some terrible food poisoning
Most important skill you need in what you do?: Common Sense. Food Industry is complicating the issue
Why Does Your Food Job Rocks?: It validates my mission in life
Switzerland Organic Food (Bio). Nobody bought the lower priced produce because they know it’s authentic.
Why is what you do important in terms of the global food supply?: Because it’s global. We want to promote food authenticity. International Food Authenticity Non-Profit
Trends and technologies: Why Michthell does not agree with Blockchain in a food fraud standpoint
How will artificial intelligence change the future?: Artificial intelligence is honest and not greedy so it will help food fraud a lot
What is one example that shows people that what you do is important?: This interview!
Outside of the food industry, how can regulatory help others in the future?: We need better regulations. People in public affairs and public policy can help us push forward.
How would they contact you?: Info@inscatech.com I am also googleable
Any advice for anyone who wants to go into the industry: Go for it, but be passionate