Imagine a world where every cheese, coffee bean, potato, and egg you consume comes with a digital certificate of authenticity, impossible to fake, and a list of everyone involved in getting into your plate. While this might sound like science fiction, it’s not. This is the evolution that blockchain technology has brought to the food industry, providing an unparalleled level of trust in the food we put on our tables.
How Blockchain is Revolutionizing Food Safety and Transparency
The food sector is one of the most demanding industries in terms of safety and regulation. It is precisely for this reason—and because of the growing desire for people to access more information—that the food industry has greatly benefited from this technology. With data centralized and standardized in one place, blockchain can help companies comply with regulations more effectively, reducing information asymmetry.
Having this type of global, decentralized digital record that not only is tamper-proof but also promotes transparency offers several advantages. By tracking products from origin to consumption, consumers can make conscious, informed, ethical, and sustainable choices, ensuring higher quality and food safety. Moreover, blockchain facilitates the identification of faults, errors, and problems along the product value chain, which can be crucial when responding to contamination or foodborne illnesses that threaten public health.
But Do We Need to Know Everything About Our Food?
The question many might ask is: Do we need access to so much information and need to know everything about the cheese we consume daily? Companies like Nestlé, Walmart, and Carrefour certainly think so. These three brands have been among the pioneers in incorporating blockchain into their products and raw materials, integrating this innovation throughout their value chains.
By including something as simple as a QR Code on the packaging, Nestlé and Carrefour provide consumers with information about the origin of the potatoes used in their Mousline mashed potatoes, how and when they were produced, the quality control parameters, and the duration and location of storage. All are fraud-proofed by blockchain technology. Just a few years ago, this level of transparency was unimaginable. Still, this pilot project has quickly started to be replicated by other brands and with other products, ensuring the authenticity of purchased products.
Becoming Smarter with Blockchain
Blockchain also serves as a tool to combat counterfeiting, as it provides a means of verifying products certified as organic or GMO-free and is also used to fight food waste. With open access for all players, this technology allows better stock control, reducing overproduction.
Do we have incredible access to information? Yes, and companies should innovate in this direction to be more transparent, which will, in turn, increase trust and brand loyalty. What may initially seem like a trivial tool could become an important innovation that reduces costs in the food and distribution chain. Blockchain also brings us one step closer to smart contracts, which can automate payments and create new business opportunities with premium products of verified origin or direct-to-consumer sales.
The Role of Collaborative Innovation in the Blockchain Revolution
One of the most critical elements driving the blockchain revolution in the food industry is collaborative innovation. Companies are increasingly recognizing that to maximize the benefits of blockchain, there must be a joint effort among all players in the supply chain—from farmers to distributors to retailers. This collaboration allows for a more standardized approach to data collection and sharing, ensuring that all parties are aligned and working towards a common goal. By pooling resources and knowledge, these stakeholders can overcome technical challenges more efficiently and drive faster adoption of blockchain technology, ultimately leading to a more transparent and trustworthy food supply chain.
The Future of Blockchain in the Food Industry
The use of blockchain can be universal, and it has been proven that its applications go far beyond the realms of technology and cryptocurrencies. Investing in this highly secure technological tool can be another step toward safety and innovation in the food sector. However, we must remember that this will require the collaboration of all stakeholders, the development of the industry, and overcoming technical challenges that can still pose obstacles. In the end, what remains is that now we can truly know who moved your cheese!
by Ana Ferreira, Director at Beta-i