Digitalization has heavily affected every walk of life, even the supply chains related to food and drink. A more sophisticated way of digitalization with blockchain is now helping the global food industry in various aspects such as manufacturing, technical, retail, and logistics. With blockchain, it has become easier to ensure data visibility for products and raw materials from the time of their plantation until the moment of their consumption.
Although blockchain was developed in 1991, its first application was seen in 2009 when its first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was launched. Since then, the technology has seen a sharp spike in its use in various applications, such as healthcare, supply chain and logistics, real estate, and money lending. Now, it is also being employed in the food and beverages sector.
Revolutionizing of the Food Supply Chain with Blockchain Technology
Blockchain has globally revolutionized the global food industry in many ways. It is helping the global food industry meet the growing needs of consumers as they look forward to the information regarding the production of the food they buy and its components.
Benefits of Using Blockchain and Digital Ledgers in the Food and Beverages Industry
There are many benefits of using blockchain in the food industry.
Improved Transparency
It is assumed that incorporating blockchain in the food industry will help improve transparency and management of the food chain. This will allow all the participating parties included in the supply chain to look after the information related to the supply-chain process, which will then provide products provenance and help customers increase their confidence in the industry and its products.
Tracing the Origins of the Products
Blockchain can also help with the history of tracing the product’s origin to the place where it is present at the given time. Tracking can also help with fraud detection in the supply chain. A vital aspect being mentioned here is the creation of FIIN (Food Industry Intelligence Network). Industry technical leaders created FIIN for sharing their intelligence on food traceability and authenticity.
Cost Reduction
Cost reduction is also one of the most significant benefits of incorporating blockchain in food supply chain management. This is because it boosts administrative processes involved in the supply chain. It reduces any extra costs in the system while guaranteeing the security of transactions.
Potential Limitations with the Use of Blockchain Technology in the Food Industry
Auditing Requirements from Government
Although the blockchain can be incorporated to the full extent in the global food industry, it will still require auditing from government departments (competent authorities), certification bodies, and auditing bodies to ensure the integrity of the data.
Auditing Requirements from Customers
Customers and retailers may also need to conduct blockchain-backed food supply chain audits to satisfy their commercial interests.
Need of a Larger Amount of Computing Power
Due to their simplicity and easy computability, the benefits of blockchain in single-ingredient products, e.g., fish and mango, are pretty evident. However, complex and multi-ingredient products, such as pizza, will require more computing power for processing. This, in turn, will reduce the efficiency, speed, and reliance on the data quality of the suppliers of these products.
Use of Blockchain Technology in the Italian Food Market
Certification of PDO by Spinosa
An Italian dairy company Spinosa has used blockchain to certify the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Mozzarella di Bufala Campana to complete its blockchain label and QR smart code.
Barilla and Blockchain
Barilla is a blockchain giant that partnered with IBM Italia for inserting all of its data related to cultivation, watering, and application of basil plantations into the IBM cloud infrastructure. All of these approaches help Barilla in launching its brand pesto sauce. After the success of its pilot project, Barilla will upload its data related to all of its products onto the blockchain.
Tracing of Organic Carrot Supply Chain by Auchen Retail Italia
Auchan Retail Italia collaborated with the technology partner Te Food and Big Group for tracing the organic carrot food supply chain. Data tracking is done with the help of QR codes present on the food labeling. Auchan Retail Italia aims to trace 1500 food outlets and 40 different food products present in the 19 regions of Italy.
Tracking of Non-removable Time Stamps
With the help of blockchain technology, product tracking will become easy with the inclusion of non-removable timestamps, which will make the verification of product sourcing easy.
Alysidia can Assist the Italian Food Market with Blockchain Applications
Alysidia has the correct expertise in the blockchain industry. In the context of the rapidly expanding Italian food market, Alysidia understands its needs for safety and traceability. By keeping both pros and cons that come with the use of blockchain technology in the food supply chain, Alysidia can provide the Italian food supply with sophisticated blockchain applications. To benefit from Alysidia’s blockchain applications, interested vendors from the Italian food industry can contact us via our website alysidia.com.
