Virtual Reality Set to Modernize Food Safety Training

By Suzanne Osborne

The Food Safety Modernization Act has raised the standard for global food safety. As a consequence, there is a pressing need for updated training along all stages of the supply chain. But training is an expensive, time-consuming endeavour.

Virtual Reality (VR) has become an attractive option to address the need for modernized training programs. VR allows the user to gain hands-on experience in an immersive scenario that mimics an on-the-job-setting. VR offers scaled learning; presenting increasingly complex scenarios as the trainee gains skills. The advantages of VR have been heralded in other industries for decades. Reviewers point to development costs as the main reason that its use has not become widespread. Yet, there are several factors one must consider when determining whether VR is an appropriate replacement or complement to traditional training methods.