The Role of Blockchain in Ensuring Food Safety and Traceability

Technology and innovation provide many industries the opportunity to optimize their operations. Blockchain is a technology that is utilized by multiple industries to store and collect data efficiently, typically for the purpose of tracking. Blockchain is a complex technology, but simply explained it is a “technology for tagging, storing and tracking anything of value.” Agriculture experts work with innovators and farmers to bring various technologies such as blockchain to market that will enhance operations on farms worldwide. Within agriculture, blockchain can be used to assist agribusinesses in ensuring food safety and traceability. Let’s explore the various aspects of blockchain technology and how it ensures traceability and food safety.

Traceability

Tracking agriculture products is no small task, but it offers many benefits to agribusinesses, farmers, consumers and every entity in-between. The United States Department of Agriculture outlines the benefits of traceability systems to include improving supply management, facilitating traceback for food safety and quality, and differentiating and marketing foods with quality attributes. The downstream benefits from these traceability goals include lower cost distribution systems, reduced recall expenses, and expanded sales of products with quality attributes. Technology experts explain that blockchain ledgers utilize cryptography meaning that once information is entered it cannot be altered, which helps the industry meet traceability goals. Blockchain technology is revolutionizing traceability by allowing information to be stored safely and shared within the industry to improve traceability, transparency and food safety.

Food Safety

The agriculture industry holds the great responsibility of not only producing enough food to feed the world, but also ensuring food safety. Agriculture experts feel the weight of this enormous task and its importance. Food safety does not only begin when consumers purchase products, but rather, it starts in the fields and pastures where food is grown or raised. Blockchain can assist the industry with food safety, for example. If there is a recall on a certain product, experts will be able to trace every place the recalled item has been exported to. Blockchain technology in agriculture stores various information including online transactions, shipping manifests and veterinary records. Access to this information is crucial to ensuring food safety.

Blockchain Applied

There are many blockchain technologies already in use across the agriculture industry, and more are expected in the coming years as agribusinesses work to increase traceability and food safety. The market for agriculture blockchain technologies is growing with financial experts expecting the market to reach 948 million dollars by 2025. Startups like AgriChain use a blockchain software platform to bring all stakeholders together providing benefits such as eliminating unnecessary paperwork and reducing supply chain inefficiency and risk. Another company, TE-FOOD uses blockchain to have quicker and automated recalls, assist in compliance regulations, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Final Thoughts

With the integration of any new technology, adoption can be difficult and take time. Despite the challenges, blockchain technology integration is paramount as agriculture experts, farmers and ranchers work to increase traceability and food safety. Blockchain technology integration is reliable and will assist in optimizing overall operations in agriculture providing benefits to the entire supply chain.

The Role of Blockchain in Ensuring Food Safety and Traceability

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