Traceability conversations accelerated in 2018, as more food-borne outbreaks were linked to fresh produce, including two more to Roman lettuce. Frank Yiannas, vice president of food safety at Walmart and one of the most vocal advocates of technology as a means to improve traceability, this year will become deputy commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. That change came a few months after Walmart announced that it would require blockchain for its suppliers of green leafy vegetables in the wake of other outbreaks.
The following is a chronology of some of The Packer's Blockchain reports during the last year, including an article from the 2017 queue.
Walmart requires the blockchain for suppliers of green leafy vegetables
By Ashley Nickle – September 24th
In the wake of food-borne outbreaks spread from one source to another linked to green leafy vegetables, Walmart wants its green leafy vegetable suppliers to have the blockchain-enabled traceability in place by this time the year next one.
Direct suppliers must have one-step-back traceability on the network by January 31 and end-to-end traceability is expected by September 30, 2019, according to the letter sent by the company to suppliers.
The company consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and established that better traceability would make a difference in outbreak investigations.
Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain efficiencies for the Produce Marketing Association, worked as an industry representative on Walmart and Wegmans technology pilots, and explained that companies participating in the Produce Traceability Initiative already have key pieces to join the network without much more work
"The requirement for labeling PTI cases has been in place for Walmart product suppliers since the end of 2013," said Treacy. "In addition, their requirements for the use of electronic advance shipping notifications (ASNs) for fresh products are in force since 2017. These are the two basic requirements needed to comply with the blockchain request.
"If (companies) are labeling their cases with PTI-compliant labels and already sending ASN to Walmart, the remaining steps should be relatively simple," said Treacy. "If they choose to participate in the level that gives them access to complete information on blockchain supply chain transparency and take advantage of the food safety certificate management module and other market access controls using the Trellis framework, they should expect to see an increase in operational efficiencies. "
Naturipe joins the blockchain initiative
By Chris Koger – August 21st
The Berry company Naturipe Farms, Salinas, California, joins a group of food companies that use blockchain technology to improve food safety and cut waste.
Companies are working with SAP in an effort to improve the food supply chain, according to a press release.
"Currently, food supply chain stakeholders record their product information and share only when necessary," said Naturipe Farms' IT director Carol McMillan in a press release. "The goal is to help create a system with greater trust and transparency among companies to increase operational speed and simplification".
Big data and blockchain bring benefits
By Tom Karst – June 26th
CHICAGO – Blockchain does not intend to take a step forward in the competition to get a better position, supporters say in a United FreshTEC session.
The session, "Increasing Consumer Confidence and Improving Big Data Business Operations," was moderated by Jennifer McEntire, vice president of the United Fresh Produce Association, vice president of food safety and technology.
"Everyone benefits if everyone participates," said Tejas Bhatt, senior director of food safety innovations for Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas. "There is a shared value proposition for everyone".
Produce the industry by keeping the blockchain in mind
By Ashley Nickle – 29 December 2017
An unknown concept for many in early 2017, blockchain now has sufficient interest from the product industry that the Producing Marketing Association has formed a task force to track its development and work with technology reseller pilots.
Walmart brought the blockchain to the fore when he conducted a study in the United States with sliced mango and in August he worked with IBM, Dole and Driscoll to further test the technology of digital ledger, which companies believe could significantly improve food security and operational efficiency.
Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain efficiencies for PMA, will serve as an industry representative on Walmart and Wegmans pilots, to provide information on how technology could work for products.
