March 2024 | Osato Itohan Oriekhoe, Bamidele Segun Ilugbusi, & Olawale Adisa
This concept paper explores the integration of blockchain technology into food supply chains to enhance global food safety. The paper highlights the critical challenges in food safety, such as food fraud, lack of traceability, and inefficient supply chain management. Blockchain technology is proposed as a solution due to its decentralized, immutable, and transparent ledger system, which can provide real-time tracking of food products from farm to fork. Key benefits include enhanced transparency, increased consumer trust, improved efficiency in recalls and audits, and cost reduction. The paper outlines the integration process, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, technology infrastructure setup, regulatory compliance, pilot testing, and training. The implementation strategy aims to establish secure and transparent systems, ensuring data integrity and facilitating regulatory compliance. The paper concludes that integrating blockchain technology into food supply chains is a transformative approach to ensuring global food safety, reducing foodborne illnesses, and building consumer trust.This concept paper explores the integration of blockchain technology into food supply chains to enhance global food safety. The paper highlights the critical challenges in food safety, such as food fraud, lack of traceability, and inefficient supply chain management. Blockchain technology is proposed as a solution due to its decentralized, immutable, and transparent ledger system, which can provide real-time tracking of food products from farm to fork. Key benefits include enhanced transparency, increased consumer trust, improved efficiency in recalls and audits, and cost reduction. The paper outlines the integration process, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, technology infrastructure setup, regulatory compliance, pilot testing, and training. The implementation strategy aims to establish secure and transparent systems, ensuring data integrity and facilitating regulatory compliance. The paper concludes that integrating blockchain technology into food supply chains is a transformative approach to ensuring global food safety, reducing foodborne illnesses, and building consumer trust.