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Following the launch of his blockchain-protected beer, Downstream company owner Shane McCarthy discusses traceability and honesty with New food.
The origin of our food and drinks has become progressively more important to the consumer, as are the contents of what we are putting into our body. Today’s customers demand (and rightfully so) safe and honest products with clear and detailed labels.
Here, New food interviews Shane McCarthy, founder and CEO of Ireland Craft Beverages, who recently created “the first beer to use traceability technology”. Over the past 12 months, the Irish beverage distributor has entered into a new partnership with Micro-Focus, a leader in the transparency space, to integrate blockchain into its offering.
“Transparency has always been a key factor for all consumers, it may be that over the years it has become more of a priority due to the distrust of big brands,” McCarthy explained. “People are now more aware, due to the responsibilities of climate change and, of course, the current pandemic. Both have pushed consumers to be much more socially aware of where their food and drinks come from. “
McCarthy has a background in financial technology and has been following blockchain for many years. “It was a breeze to use the same technology in food and drink,” he said.
How does blockchain beer work?
By scanning the QR code on a Downstream can with a phone camera, consumers can verify their products and find out other details, including ingredients, tasting notes, calories, carbon footprint, and even when that particular batch was prepared and packaged. . At the same time, manufacturers benefit from a secure way to log activity in real time and prevent fraud.
In the most basic terms, blockchain is a secure database that records the journey of a product. It has received a significant warning due to claims that it is tamper-proof. Using this technology, McCarthy explains that the manufacturer can include as much or as little information as possible.
Plus, with more emphasis than ever on transparency and additional product label requirements, the scanning element is a key space saver. “There is so much you can adapt!” McCarthy pointed out.
People are now more aware, due to the responsibilities of climate change and, of course, the current pandemic.
He continued: “Large fulfillment centers can have access to a master QR code that will verify tens of thousands of cans in a shipment, ensuring that they are all accounted for and none have been fraudulently removed or damaged. It also has great benefits for customs. and government excise duties: this is something we are trying to implement. “
Blockchain was first launched in 2009, initially as a tool for cryptocurrency, but we are starting to see its use cases expanded. “I can imagine it will be more widely used in the near future.
New technologies tend to grow exponentially very rapidly, and I believe we are getting closer to that with blockchain, in the same way that we have been with the internet and cloud computing.
“As for how it can be implemented in the future, there are many new and developing cases in various industries that are seeing great success.
If I could foresee how we will see it advance in the specific food and beverage market, it would be in the form of smart contracts within smart devices. By this I mean a watch or phone that can automatically scan products to verify their safety. “
