At Food World/Food Trade News, we believe artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models will become an increasingly important tool in modern publishing and business operations. We also believe trust, editorial judgment, and accountability must remain human.
Our readers, partners, and industry stakeholders deserve transparency regarding how these technologies are – and are not – used within our organization. These standards are intended to ensure that AI enhances our work without compromising the integrity, originality, or credibility of our journalism.
All contributors are expected to maintain clear records of reporting materials, interview notes, source documents, and reference materials used during the creation of editorial content. The use of AI tools does not diminish traditional journalistic standards surrounding attribution, verification, or source integrity.
Anonymous sourcing, conflict disclosures, corrections, and editorial review procedures remain governed by the same standards that apply to all reporting produced by Food World/Food Trade News.
Human Editorial Responsibility
All editorial responsibility remains with human writers, editors, and leadership. Our standards emphasize human oversight, transparency, and editorial accountability.
Every article, briefing, analysis, newsletter, or published piece of content is reviewed and approved by a human editor prior to publication. AI systems do not independently publish content on behalf of Food World/Food Trade News.
Editorial judgment: including sourcing, verification, context, tone, framing, and final approval remains the responsibility of our editorial team.
AI as an Assistive Tool
We permit the use of artificial intelligence tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs), as editorial aids and workflow tools.
Appropriate uses may include: copyediting and proofreading, grammar and readability suggestions, summarization of lengthy documents or datasets, transcription assistance, organizational or structural support, data analysis support, SEO, and metadata assistance, image creation.
These tools are intended to support the editorial process but never to replace reporting, analysis, or original thought.
Human-Created Journalism
Our journalism must originate from human reporting, expertise, analysis, and editorial direction.
Writers and contributors are expected to develop stories through legitimate journalistic methods, including direct reporting, interviews, event attendance, industry relationships, document review, and independent research.
AI-generated text may not be submitted as a completed article or represented as original reporting. AI systems are not considered authoritative sources. All facts, statistics, quotes, claims, and reporting generated, surfaced, or summarized through AI tools must be independently verified by the author and/or editorial staff prior to publication.
Regardless of the tools used during production, Food World/Food Trade News maintains full accountability for the accuracy and integrity of all published material from any of our sources. If errors occur, we will correct them transparently and promptly per our stated corrections policy.
We are committed to producing original, value-added industry journalism. We do not use AI to mass-produce low-value or derivative content. Our editorial mission is to contribute meaningful reporting, insight, and intelligence to the grocery industry – not simply repackage or remix existing material.
All contributors are expected to uphold the publication’s standards for originality, professionalism, and editorial ethics.
Ongoing Review
Artificial intelligence technology is evolving rapidly, and our standards will continue evolving alongside it.
These guidelines may be updated periodically as tools, regulations, and best practices develop. Any future changes will continue to prioritize editorial integrity, reader trust, human input and accountability above automation or efficiency.
Alexander Wissel
Executive Editor
You can read more about our:
Artificial Intelligence/Large Language Model Statement