Food traceability and sustainability: IP rights and regulatory technology

Abstract

In an era where ethical innovation and sustainability are pivotal, traceability, traditionally aimed at ensuring food safety and market protection, has been driving policies of major world powers in the food industry and beyond, such as the European Union, the United States, and China. This evolution aligns with the dual pressures of consumer demand for transparency and the need for sustainable practices. In such a framework, the integration of IP rights, through trademarks and geographical indications, into traceability systems can be instrumental in building consumer trust and protecting the unique value of local and sustainably produced foods. Along with, or in addition to IP rights, “Regulatory Technology,” or RegTech, for example through distributed ledger technologies like blockchain, can provide an effective tool to ensure traceability, enhance the efficiency and transparency of the food supply chain, and promote the right to adequate food and sustainability.