The blockchain technology is gradually changing the quality of food.
At first glance, it would seem unexpected that the blockchain technology can be used to check the quality of food.
At the initial stage (during the production or even the collection of vegetables or fruits), the manufacturer applies the code for reading to the packaging of the goods (and sometimes also, if necessary, a temperature sensor or other conditions of transportation and storage). The product data is entered into the blockchain network and linked to a specific tracking code.
As you know, information about each bitcoin wallet is stored decentrally. Therefore, no one can falsify data about his financial condition or about the transfer of the cryptocurrency – it would be necessary to forge the data stored by a lot of people. This means that no one can falsify data about the origin of goods.
In addition, the data is open for even network members, and therefore can be checked by any participant. Thus, blockchain technology makes it impossible to hide elements in the supply chain. Each phase of food production is recorded from its release to arrival on the shelf in the store. Such an open system reveals any problem at the very beginning: the inaptitude of products becomes known in the so-called “cold chain”, that is, in ensuring an unchanged optimal temperature regime, etc.
Another advantage – the speed of information transfer: information about the product is transmitted very fast.
“Food chain”
Thanks to the blockchain technology, participants of the supply chain may have the right to access verified product information. These participants are:
1. Producers: Any attempt to change information about the product will be immediately disclosed. Transparent of this system will also force many suppliers to be ethical and responsible (for example, in industrial fisheries).
2. Distributors: If poor quality products still get into the store, buyers will quickly find it. Today, tracking a supply chain of any product takes several days or even weeks. With the blockchain, the verification process occurs immediately.
3. Consumers: transparency enhances consumer confidence. Customers have a guarantee that the labels on the products are true and goods have really high quality.
Many food industry leaders are already trying to use the new technology, despite the fact that it is still at the development stage. Ten biggest food companies, including Nestle, Unilever, Walmart, Dole, Foods, Kroger, McCormick, Tyson Foods, use blockchain technology to control supply chains of products.
The results of this work meet expectations. Walmart conducted a study of the pork quality due to the blockchain. It took only a few minutes to determine the quality of the pork (instead of a few days). The data included information about the origin of pork, about the number of the batch, about the factory with which it came, about the methods of processing, as well as the expiry date, storage temperature and even the details of its distribution.
For the food industry, the use of blockchain is a huge step forward. In addition to tracking the goods, this technology encourages cooperation between network members. This, in turn, ensures consumer confidence in producers and sellers and allows creating conditions for the food industry and the consumer to establish a dialogue.
We remind you that we have already written about a company that successfully uses blockchain technology to check products.
