Jamilya Nurgazina, Udsanee Pakdeetrakulwong, Thomas Moser, Gerald Reiner
The lack of transparency and traceability in food supply chains (FSCs) is raising concerns among consumers and stakeholders about food information credibility, food quality, and safety. Insufficient records, a lack of digitalization and standardization of processes, and information exchange are some of the most critical challenges, which can be tackled with disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). Studies provide evidence that novel technological and sustainable practices in FSCs are necessary. This paper aims to describe current practical applications of DLTs and IoT in FSCs, investigating the challenges of implementation, and potentials for future research directions, thus contributing to achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within a systematic literature review, the content of 69 academic publications was analyzed, describing aspects of implementation and measures to address the challenges of scalability, security, and privacy of DLT, and IoT solutions. The challenges of high costs, standardization, regulation, interoperability, and energy consumption of DLT solutions were also classified as highly relevant, but were not widely addressed in literature. The application of DLTs in FSCs can potentially contribute to 6 strategic SDGs, providing synergies and possibilities for more sustainable, traceable, and transparent FSCs.
Abstract Legislation and regulation proposed to study, fund, and govern blockchain use is emerging among both US federal and state governments. These regulatory requirements, however, are not fully consistent across jurisdictions, which may add further challenge to the adoption of this technology by agri‐food system firms. This study compiles and provides a descriptive overview of legislation and regulations related to blockchain technology. Implications of the current regulatory approach on the adoption of blockchain on the US agri‐food system, and specifically of the wider adoption of distributed ledger technologies on food safety and market access of smaller scale farm operations, are considered.
Blockchain has been described as a breakthrough Information and Communication Technology having the potential to ensure safe, immutable and transparent information exchange between actors. This study attempts to foresee whether Blockchain will play an important role in traceability management and how this innovation is expected to change the agri-food sector's future, using a Delphi group discussion with experts. According to our results, blockchain is potentially recognised as a decentralised system able not only to harmonise safety and quality standards but also to reduce bureaucracy. Greater efficiency and reliability of the system would lead to the establishment and coordination of new supply chain relationships.
India is one of the agriculture-based country in the world. The history of agriculture in India starts from Indus Valley Civilization. But in such a historical country, many farmers are starving for their income while foreign countries are earning lakhs from the same. One of the reasons for the above cause is the very poor supply chain management. It is a well-known fact that most of the farming items decay very fast if not maintained properly. In the existing supply chain management, though the government provides storage houses for the farmers, the farmers could not track the status of their goods. Also, there is no proper system for tracking the status of their goods in the various stages of transportation. Hence, an improved supply chain management is needed with the desired properties such as checkpoints at every stage in the supply chain management, verification of goods status by both the farmers and the government officials. In this paper, a system is proposed that uses Blockchain technology to attain the transparency about the goods' status that leads to a healthier relationship between the producer and consumer. By storing the details in the blockchain, all the process is visible both to the farmers and officials involved in the transportation. Also, the records that are immutable can remain forever.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) initiated this report to assess the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing food traceability and safety within the UK food system. Motivated by the need for greater transparency, trust, and efficiency in food supply chains, the report builds on the FSA’s initial blockchain trials in meat processing plants. These early experiments demonstrated the feasibility of using distributed ledger technology (DLT) to securely record and share food chain data. The report’s primary aim is to evaluate the lessons learned from these trials and to outline strategic next steps for broader implementation. Objectives include identifying technical, regulatory, and governance challenges, exploring stakeholder perspectives, and proposing a roadmap for integrating blockchain into existing food assurance frameworks. Through this work, the FSA seeks to inform future policy and innovation in digital food regulation.
N. Nasurudeen Ahamed, T. K. Thivakaran, P. Karthikeyan
Blockchain is booming technology in many industries. Especially, supply chain management. This paper talks about how the perishable food product to take safely in cold supply chain management with the help of blockchain technology. Here, we proposed the immutable ledger from farm to consumer. This ledger is distributed. So, whoever (farm to consumer) can take this data and check the details. With the help of an immutable ledger, no one can change the food item data. Example: what temperature we assigned to the perishable products and which company manufacture the food products and date, etc., all data stored forever. No one can be changed the data. So, with this technology, we can reduce the food losses, reduce the economic losses for a manufacturing company, and avoid the foodborne illness of our valuable consumer. Eventually, we increase consumer trust.
In the last decades, numerous food scandals have attracted policy makers' interest and subsequently induced retailers to actively improve food safety. Blockchain technology allows consumers to track the flow of food products and reduce food fraud, such as counterfeiting, dilution, or adulteration. Using three experiments conducted with Austrian business students as well as an online convenience sample, we investigate how the traceability of food products impacts consumers' trust in the retailer and subsequently influences consumers' retailer choice. Our model further considers retailer familiarity and the disclosure of blockchain benefits as important moderators of the impact of blockchain-based traceability systems on trust in the retailer. The model was tested using ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Hayes’ PROCESS models. In terms of fostering consumer trust, the findings show that retailers who are unfamiliar to consumers profit more from the use of blockchain technology than do better-known retailers. Moreover, informing consumers about specific blockchain benefits strengthens the positive effects of a blockchain-based traceability system.
Open access
Food Supply Chain Traceability
Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability
Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification
Roberto Leonardo Rana, Caterina Tricase, L. De Cesare
Purpose The present paper is aimed at 1) performing a systematic literature review (SLR) on applications in the perspective of sustainable agri-food supply chain (SC) of blockchain technology (BCT); 2) analyzing the selected literature, focusing on the advantages of the sustainable uses of the blockchain of the aforementioned SC and 3) presenting an outlook and research directions capable of addressing unresolved problems. Design/methodology/approach The SLR was conducted using detailed criteria to identify academic articles. Moreover, specific keywords and databases were used. The time frame considered included the years 2010–2020. Findings The review analysis indicates that the use of BCT or BCT supported by ICT/IoT contributes to sustainability of agri-food production. However, this technology can lead to several challenges such as scalability, privacy leakage, high cost and connectivity problems. Research limitations/implications The paper demonstrates that BCT can widely use agri-food supply chain due to its intrinsic characteristics. However, it is not excluded that the criteria chosen may not have identified important articles regarding BCT, the agri-food sector and sustainability. Originality/value Although the body of academic literature published on this topic is expansive, the effect of BCT on the agri-food SC's sustainability aspects has not yet been adequately analyzed. Thus, the article is aimed at investigating how BCT is used in the SC. In particular, the article is intended to update information about BCT and its impact on sustainability.
This paper investigates the strategies for adopting blockchain technology in the fresh product supply chain (FPSC) consisting of a supplier, a third-party logistics service provider (3PL) and an e-tailer. We analyse the optimal strategies of FPSC members under the benchmark scenario where the FPSC does not adopt blockchain technology and those under the three scenarios where the supplier, 3PL and e-tailer lead the construction of the blockchain-based traceability system (BTS), respectively. We find that adopting blockchain technology is not always the optimal decision for the FPSC, which is related to the consumers’ acceptance degree for the product without blockchain technology, the deterioration rate of the fresh product and the allocation proportion of traceability cost of FPSC members when adopting blockchain technology. Regardless of the power and status of each member in the FPSC, it can lead the construction of the BTS. From the perspective of whole FPSC’s profit maximisation, the leader of the FPSC should lead the construction of the BTS under the coordination of a two-part tariff contract. This study provides valuable insights for FPSCs to adopt blockchain technology.
Controlling the product quality in food industry throughout its supply chain is today one of the most challenges in the world especially when it comes to typical food products. In recent years, various companies are trying to experiment with joint use of Blockchain and Radio Frequency Identification technologies to solve problems in scenarios where numerous untrusted actors get involved. Blockchain is gaining increasing popularity as a technology to enable product traceability in a certified and immutable way from the farm to the fork of food products and to avoid fraud and counterfeiting by guaranteeing trusted, transparent and shared information in the agri-food supply-chain. By combining smart contracts, Interplanetary File System and Internet of Things technologies, this paper tries to address these issues and presents a proposal of an implementation model for the supply chain management of a typical Italian food product - Carasau bread. The main goal of the model proposal is to guarantee and certify a transparent, secure and auditable traceability in such a way each actor of the supply chain can verify the quality of the product.
Aaron M. Shew, Heather A. Snell, Rodolfo M. Nayga, Mary C. Lacity
Abstract Blockchain (BC) technology, defined as a shared information system to validate, secure, and permanently store transactions among multiple parties on a distributed ledger, presents many applications in agricultural and food industries. This study examines the application of BC in food traceability for beef in the United States using a choice experiment. Findings indicate that consumers value USDA certifications over BC traceability to guide their meat preferences. Our study suggests a number of industry implications, the most important of which suggests focusing business and consumer education on the value of product data, rather than on the value of the technologies that manage data.
Purpose Considering the importance of a safe food chain for consumers and the advent of blockchain technology (BT), this research studies a food service (FS) distributor. The research aims to understand the implications related to the functional processes of distribution in FS in which it would be possible to use blockchain to achieve agility, transparency of information and improvements in food safety. Design/methodology/approach Firstly, theory regarding blockchain technology in the supply chain (BT-SC) and FS was analyzed to contextualize the theme conceptually. A single case study including 11 supply chain companies was applied in a BT implementation study in an FS distributor. Findings Investment in infrastructure is often identified as a barrier to adoption of BT-SC. This was, however, not found in this case. Furthermore, the validation of users was only necessary for those parties directly participating in the process or information input. Finally, findings differentiate between qualifying criteria and operational processes when considering BT projects in FS. Research limitations/implications The findings are restricted to this single case that provided an in-depth understanding of the topic. Statistical generalization is not possible at this stage of the research. Practical implications The study is a practical example and can provide several insights to anyone looking to implement BT in their SC. Social implications The social importance of the study lies in the importance of FS in the food sector, and by presenting ways that contribute to mitigating risks to consumers. Originality/value Real-life cases of application of BT-SC illustrate its functionalities in operational processes.
This research summarizes the implementation of blockchain technology in the food and agriculture industry in Canada. Our research indicates that blockchain solutions are an existing and proven set of technologies. We also describe how blockchain based supply chain traceability information has many more benefits than its current use for food safety and product recalls. We recommend that costs for development of blockchain based solutions should also be distributed across stakeholders, and apportioned by the relevant industry associations. Our research indicates that adoption of blockchain technology in agriculture will achieve critical mass earlier when the industry applies a consortium approach, in a regulatory environment that is supported by government. This report also makes recommendations relevant to the integration of blockchain for end consumers of food.
Such a disruptive technology as the blockchain platform has a potential to provide value-added contributions towards multiple-disciplinary applications these days. Blockchain technology, considered as the second generation of the Internet in the digital age, has been applied in practice for various industry such as finance, healthcare, tourism, retailing, manufacturing, education, public sector, supply chains management, agri-food industry and so on. In which, supply chain operations, particularly agri-food management, becomes a prosperous beneficiary from blockchain technology. In the local context, Vietnam has been achieved the competitive advantages in agricultural production among the world in some agri-food products such as black peppercorn, cashew nuts, coffee, coconut, rice, and rubber. Furthermore, Vietnam is considered as one of pioneers in implementing blockchain technology for traceability and transparency of agri-food products across Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. However, design and implementation of the blockchain technology application in agri-food production in the case of Vietnam agriculture industry have been confronted with opportunities and challenges, besides its strengths and weaknesses in nature. This paper aims to concentrating on the analysis of Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of blockchain-applied supply chain relevant to agri-food products. In addition, the application of blockchain technology in supply chains has been expected to promote the sustainable development of Vietnam agriculture, in the accordance with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 21st century. We adopt the research method of interpretive approach to synthesize the literature and reasonably induce research conclusions. We finally prescribe some policy recommendations and implications for agri-food stakeholders such as regional policy makers, agri-food based blockchain platform designers, executives, and farmers as users in relevant to facilitate the blockchain technology for agri-food chains in Vietnam agriculture.
Establishing a blockchain food traceability system (BFTS) is increasingly important and urgent to resolve the contradiction between consumers' intention regarding safe food selections and the spread of polluted foods. Using the advantages of blockchain, such as immutability, decentralization, openness, and anonymity, we can build trusted food traceability systems based on these important characteristics. With reliable information, traceability from production to sales can effectively improve food safety. In this research, multiple models, namely, the information success model (ISS) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) are formed into a conceptual integrated framework to study the intentions' influenced factors of BFTS technology for Chinese consumers to help ensure food safety and the quality of Chinese organic food products. A face-to-face questionnaire survey with 300 valid responses was analyzed by Partial Least Square from the Chinese consumers focusing on the organic food products. This study found that the attitude and perceived behavioral control qualities significantly and positively affect the usage intention in adopting BFTS, while the subjective norms are positively but not significantly correlation with the usage intention in using BFTS. The above results will inform suggestions for productors and academics along with implications to promote BFTS' usage intention.
Abstract Applications of blockchain in the food sector are growing and the adoption of farm‐to‐fork traceability systems is at the forefront. We review applications of blockchain across different dimensions while focusing on how broad adoption of the technology might help address major challenges faced by the U.S. fresh produce industry. These challenges include food safety, food fraud, food loss and waste, and the general need for better traceability systems. We discuss whether blockchain technologies might play a role in enhancing the resilience of the produce supply chain and highlight limitations and challenges of the technology stakeholders might consider going forward. JEL CLASSIFICATION L86; O32; Q13
Isti Surjandari, Harman Yusuf, Enrico Laoh, Rayi Maulida
Abstract Halal Supply Chain Management requires an assurance that the entire process of procurement, distribution, handling, and processing materials, spare parts, livestock, work-in-process, or finished inventory to be well documented and performed fit to the Halal and Toyyib. Blockchain technology is one alternative solution that can improve Halal Supply Chain as it can integrate technology for information exchange during the tracking and tracing process in operating and monitoring performance. This technology could improve trust, transparency, and information disclosure between supply chain participants since it could act as a distributed ledger and entitle all transactions to be completely open, yet confidential, immutable, and secured. This study uses a Blockchain Network with three channels and uses raft consensus algorithm in designing web interfaces and testing their capabilities. From the web interface, there were no failures in the validity test during the invoke test and the query test. In addition, the web interface was also successfully tested to thwart the formation of a block in case of data input errors from the user. The server can also do the process as a provider of information and validator for the web interface. From the results of simulations conducted on the Blockchain Network that was made, Blockchain’s transaction speed is fast and all the transaction is successfully transferred to other peers. Thus, Permissioned Blockchain is useful for Halal Supply Chain not just because it can secure transactions from some of the halal issues, but the transaction speed and rate to transfer data are very effective.