La quality and food safety are two fundamental keys to the products that are eaten daily, with consumers increasingly putting the magnifying glass on aspects such as the origin. In this context, in order to ensure the traceability throughout the agri-food value chain, technology blockchain in food it is the future. Companies that are able to successfully implement this method of fighting fraud they will achieve greater prestige and recognition in the market. But you know How does it apply and does this tool work in the sector? If it sounds like Chinese to you, here we explain everything in detail.
Concern for safety
In recent years there has already been a increasing effort by companies that want to offer more security guarantees on your products. But this thought has been accompanied by the push of a consumer who is increasingly interested and concerned about what he eats. Faced with this scenario, in the eating and drinks has been consolidating the concept of global value chain. The one in which different agents and markets participate that ensure that food is offered as safe as possible.
Now, after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, that idea has been raised to the maximum exponent, despite the fact that the presence of the pathogen in fruits and vegetables has been denied by the first studies. However, it is an obvious fact that concern about the fullfilment of security requirements it has been firmly installed in today's society. In this context, the use of blockchain in food. It acts as a mechanism that ensures the exact reality of the product, that what the consumer buys is really what he thinks he buys. Move like this transparency, trust and security. One of the most important aspects here is the source.
Certification of origin
According to the person in charge of Blockchain in Europe from IBM, andrew darley, the success of foods in supermarkets is based on including references from their origin and methodology of production. This is linked to the consumer's desire for more information about the origin of the products. We are in an "era of increasing sophistication" in that sense and one that companies must address in the right way. This is where the tech tool comes in.
In addition, «customers do not want to buy only food, but what makes them feel good and the words that make them feel that are local, authentic, organic and premium. Now they are really important ”, he believes darley. We see more and more examples of products that meet these characteristics. Refering to certification of origin, new models are emerging to ensure this aspect and then it is reflected on the label.
To achieve that goal, darley considers that it is necessary to "create networks" between the different parts of the agri-food chain (distributor, suppliers and producers). Although this may be more expensive and more difficult, experts think that it compensates the earn loyalty between customers.
This is how the blockchain works in food
An effective way to balance confidentiality with transparency is to use the blockchain in foodBut how does this technology work? It is a blockchain that acts as a shared database and allows it to act as a operations log book or transactions. The basis of the operation of the famous bitcoin it's in the blockchain. But in its application to food industry provides the following:
- Registry distributed and shared among all participants in the value chain, with restricted access.
- Verification of transactions through smart contracts.
- Private identity management.
Thanks to this, it allows save time and costsreduce the manipulation risk of data and even improve Trust of all through operations where transparency reigns. A very useful and innovative way to fight industry fraud that is already taking advantage of global companies such as Nestlé, Unilever or Walmart. In addition, another important benefit in these times of diseases such as Covid-19 is the capacity it provides for trace the sources of products in case of any disease in them.
Even to combat the food waste the implementation of the blockchain in food. Now, you know a little more about said technology. A future with more quality, security and reality is possible.
