Blockchain is a term receiving a lot of hype as the must-have for food safety. Well, at least the IT folks are pushing food safety as a main reason for investing into the technology. There are benefits of having verifiable and seamless transactions
So what is blockchain - it is a tool by which each segment of the supply chain, or block, is identified from raw material through to the time is is sold. The blockchain technology records each interaction with an item and assigns it a digital certificate so that the information associated with that block, or supply chain segment, can not be changed or adulterated later. This prevents company form hiding the true origin and movement of the material as it moves through the chain.
Traceability and recall are the real benefits. Having such a system would allow quick identification of recalled ingredients, and then coupling that with where those ingredients were used, and where that product was distributed or stored.
There can be endless amounts of information recorded with each transaction. This can include 1) source information such as specific producing company, harvesting fields, or varieties harvested, 2) safety parameters such as temperatures, pH, or Aw, and 3) quality parameters.
There can be endless amounts of information recorded with each transaction. This can include 1) source information such as specific producing company, harvesting fields, or varieties harvested, 2) safety parameters such as temperatures, pH, or Aw, and 3) quality parameters.
One can establish validated contacts, or smart contacts, that help ensure product sourcing and provide means for seamless transactions. For example, one can ensure that suppliers were indeed certified organic. "Transactions can be verified and approved by consensus among the community, [theoretically] making fraud more difficult and significantly lowering the costs of validation and authentication" (PMA)
So this is a tool that improves visibility and transactions along the supply chain. No doubt a time saver for the food professional who has to hunt down supplier information. It will help validate suppliers and ensure sourcing information. But A savior for food safety? That may be a stretch. Certainly IBM would like you to believe it. In the end it still comes down to the basics - the blocking and tackling of people ensuring food safety basics.
To what degree are consumers demanding transparency to know exactly where their food comes from? There are probably some out there who really, really care, but for me, I'm good with knowing my pizza is from Gigiarelli's or Pizza Perfect, my beer is from Troegs (Nugget Nectar), and my sub is from Giovanni's using those Amoroso's buns.
Supply Chain Quarterly.com
http://www.supplychainquarterly.com/news/20171201-lets-rein-in-the-blockchain-exuberance/
Forward Thinking
Commentary: Let's rein in the blockchain exuberance
By Mark Solomon | December 1, 2017
To what degree are consumers demanding transparency to know exactly where their food comes from? There are probably some out there who really, really care, but for me, I'm good with knowing my pizza is from Gigiarelli's or Pizza Perfect, my beer is from Troegs (Nugget Nectar), and my sub is from Giovanni's using those Amoroso's buns.
Supply Chain Quarterly.com
http://www.supplychainquarterly.com/news/20171201-lets-rein-in-the-blockchain-exuberance/
Forward Thinking
Commentary: Let's rein in the blockchain exuberance
By Mark Solomon | December 1, 2017