Abstract
Food traceability has been one of the emerging blockchain applications in recent years, for improving the areas of anti-counterfeiting and quality assurance. Existing food traceability systems do not guarantee a high level of system reliability, scalability, and information accuracy. Moreover, the traceability process is time-consuming and complicated in modern supply chain networks. To alleviate these concerns, blockchain technology is promising to create a new ontology for supply chain traceability. However, most consensus mechanisms and data flow in blockchain are developed for cryptocurrency, not for supply chain traceability; hence, simply applying blockchain technology to food traceability is impractical. In this paper, a blockchain-IoT-based food traceability system (BIFTS) is proposed to integrate the novel deployment of blockchain, IoT technology, and fuzzy logic into a total traceability shelf life management system for managing perishable food. To address the needs for food traceability, lightweight and vaporized characteristics are deployed in the blockchain, while an integrated consensus mechanism that considers shipment transit time, stakeholder assessment, and shipment volume is developed. The data flow of blockchain is then aligned to the deployment of IoT technologies according to the level of traceable resource units. Subsequently, the decision support can be established in the food supply chain by using reliable and accurate data for shelf life adjustment, and by using fuzzy logic for quality decay evaluation.
Highlights
The perishable food supply chain (PFSC) is always an attractive but challenging sector in the ontology of supply chain management, for better quality assurance, efficient information exchange, and for satisfying strict handling requirements [1]
After implementing the blockchain–IoTbased food traceability system (BIFTS) in the case company, the blockchain–IoT technologies are beneficial for food traceability, and for shaping the entire business of PFSC
All the collected data are managed in a cloud database, while the traceability associated IDs with timestamp are forged in the blockchain for traceability purposes
Summary
The perishable food supply chain (PFSC) is always an attractive but challenging sector in the ontology of supply chain management, for better quality assurance, efficient information exchange, and for satisfying strict handling requirements [1]. Identification (RFID) and Near field Communication (NFC); and (ii) chemical and biological analysis, including isotope analysis and DNA barcoding [2]. These were applicable tools for tracing, tracking, identifying, and monitoring the food to maintain its quality and safety through the supply chain. The growth of e-commerce business in perishable foodstuffs facilitates the international trading of perishable food, and changes customer behaviour in the supply chain, adaptability, efficiency, and reliability of such existing traceability methods are insufficient to share information among the complicated supply chain network. To trace and track objects in the PFSC, the adequate definition of traceable resource units (TRUs), which is used to identify and mutually understand traceable objects covering trade units, production units, and logistics units for supply chain activities, are required from raw suppliers to end
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
