Recent articles by Food Poisoning News on the importance of good record keeping in food distribution and safety in the global food supply chain touched on blockchain technology as a potential solution for enhanced traceability and increased accuracy. But what is blockchain and what value does it provide to consumers and businesses alike?
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the global food supply chain by enhancing safety, transparency, and efficiency. As the food supply chain becomes more complex, the need for reliable tracking and traceability systems has grown. Blockchain offers a robust solution to these challenges, with its decentralized and immutable, or unchangeable, ledger.
Blockchain Defined
Blockchain technology is a decentralized digital ledger system that securely records transactions across multiple computers. Unlike traditional databases, blockchain ensures that once data is recorded, it cannot be altered or deleted, providing a transparent and tamper-proof record. This technology is best known for its use in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but it has a wide range of applications, including supply chain management, finance, and healthcare, due to its ability to enhance security, transparency, and efficiency.
Enhanced Traceability
One of the primary ways blockchain promotes safety in the food supply chain is through enhanced traceability. Traditional supply chain systems often suffer from a lack of transparency, making it difficult to track the origin and journey of food products. Blockchain addresses this issue by providing a transparent and tamper-proof record of each transaction and movement within the supply chain. This means that every step, from farm to table, is recorded and can be verified by all parties involved. In the event of a contamination or foodborne illness outbreak, blockchain allows for rapid identification of the source, enabling swift recalls and minimizing the risk to consumers.
Reducing Fraud
Moreover, blockchain technology helps combat food fraud, which includes activities like mislabeling, adulteration, and counterfeiting. By ensuring that all transactions are recorded on an immutable ledger, blockchain makes it nearly impossible for fraudulent activities to go undetected. This not only protects consumers but also helps maintain the integrity of the food market. For instance, companies like Nestlé and Walmart have implemented blockchain to track the origin of their products, ensuring that consumers receive authentic and safe food items.
Information Accuracy
Another significant benefit of blockchain in the food supply chain is its ability to improve data accuracy and reliability. Traditional systems often rely on manual data entry, which is prone to errors and inconsistencies. Blockchain automates data recording, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring that the information is accurate and up-to-date. This level of accuracy is crucial for maintaining food safety standards and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Promoting Sustainability
Blockchain also promotes sustainability by providing detailed information about the environmental impact of food production and distribution. By tracking the carbon footprint and resource use associated with each product, blockchain helps companies make more informed decisions about sourcing and logistics. This not only supports environmental sustainability but also enhances the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
Real Word Examples
The previously mentioned Walmart faced a tough challenge in 2016 when a Vice President of Food Safety asked for a package of mangoes to be tracked all the way back to its source. Even though all of the data was available in Walmart’s systems, it was disconnected, and arriving at the answer took nearly seven days! Walmart partnered with technology giant IBM to build a blockchain proof of concept and reduced the time to trace those mangoes to 2.2 seconds.
Chicken behemoth Tyson Foods has leveraged blockchain technology since 2018. With blockchain solutions, Tyson is able to better manage its suppliers by centralizing documentation, enabling product evaluations, and automating recalls.
Conclusion
Blockchain technology is a powerful tool with the potential for promoting safety in the global food supply chain. By enhancing traceability, combating fraud, improving data accuracy, and supporting sustainability, blockchain helps create a safer, more transparent, and more efficient food supply chain. As the technology continues to evolve, its impact on food safety and quality is likely to grow, benefiting consumers and businesses alike.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “Adoption of technologies like blockchain in the global food supply chain will help to dramatically increase traceability. In the event of an outbreak of foodborne illness, food manufacturers and authorities should be able to quickly find the source of the contamination, potentially saving the lives of many consumers.”
