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Food security is a major global concern. From the farm to the store shelf, every entity that manages and processes food must ensure that the products are fit for consumption. However, every year we witness episodes of food tampering or outbreaks of food poisoning. Before the authorities intervene, and before the source of contamination is detected, people get sick. A supermarket chain wants to do something about this situation. Auchan, the world's 13th largest food retailer, chose the blockchain technology solution from the German TE-FOOD to improve food safety.
Blockchain: greater transparency, greater consumer confidence
The retail brand has begun to develop its blockchain-based food tracking program in five countries: France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Senegal. The French brand started this program with an 18-month trial period in Vietnam.
The TE-FOOD blockchain-based traceability solution allows users to trace the origin of food products to their place of origin. Each product included in the TE-FOOD program has a QR code that consumers can scan with their mobile phone.
In addition to traceability, consumers can also check whether the product marketed as bio comes from an organic farm. Some of the products included in the initial launch in France are for example carrots, potatoes and chicken. Likewise, Italy, apart from the chicken, will begin to offer blockchain-based traceability for tomatoes. And customers in Spain will be able to control the origin of traditional Iberian pork products.
A growing need for responsibility
The TE-FOOD program, implemented by Auchan, uses the FoodChain global tracking information log to ensure data authenticity. In the context of increasing consumer demand for brands to be more responsible, blockchain offers a viable solution.
According to research conducted by the Food Marketing Institute and Label Insight, 75% of consumers would start buying from a brand that offers detailed product information. The details printed on the label are not sufficient to have a clear idea of the origin of the product.
Blockchain technology leads the Australian food industry
The global trend of blockchain adoption is also present in Australia. Several companies have developed solutions that help consumers gain more confidence in the food they buy. For example, AgriDigital based in Sydney has a software solution developed specifically for farms. The company has shown that blockchain technology can help supply chains in many ways. Specifically in:
- work faster through smart contracts,
- becoming more flexible to market demand,
- offer customers greater security through the transparency and traceability of the product.
Likewise, another Australian company, AgriChain in Melbourne, has also developed a blockchain solution for the agricultural supply chain. Help all stakeholders in the supply chain create faster and easier business relationships. From individual farms to logistics companies and retail stores, participants can execute transactions and track products along the entire supply chain.
Why is Blockchain important for food safety?
The recent E. coli outbreak in the United States shows that the role that blockchain could play in food safety is important. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, Roman Lettuce has caused this outbreak. The government agency registered the first cases of illness on 8 October. However, farms responsible for the introduction of E. coli-infected lettuce into the food chain were clearly identified by region on 26 November.
This means that the US authorities took a month and a half to trace the origin of unsafe food using traditional methods. During this time, over 50 people became ill. With blockchain technology, a sample of infected food can be brought back to its place of origin within minutes. This would allow authorities to act more quickly, contain the epidemic and prevent people from getting seriously ill.
A quick look at the future
As technology advances, companies like TE-FOOD, AgriDigital and AgriChain can help change the supply chain globally. Manufacturers and distributors can track sensitive products in transit, such as food and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, they can reduce fraud and tampering with the product. On the other hand, consumers can check the exact origin of the products they buy and make a fully informed choice. Finally, authorities can intervene more quickly and efficiently to prevent damaged and dangerous products from reaching store shelves.
As Auchan demonstrates, it is only a matter of relying on new technologies such as blockchain and taking the step forward by implementing them.
