Traceability Of Food Products Research Articles

Rapid and non-destructive identification of Panax ginseng origins using hyperspectral imaging, visible light imaging, and X-ray imaging combined with multi-source data fusion strategies

The geographical origin of Panax ginseng significantly influences its nutritional value and chemical composition, which in turn affects its market price. Traditional methods for analyzing these differences are often time-consuming and require substantial quantities of reagents, rendering them inefficient. Therefore, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in conjunction with X-ray technology were used for the swift and non-destructive traceability of Panax ginseng origin. Initially, outlier samples were effectively rejected by employing a combined isolated forest algorithm and density peak clustering (DPC) algorithm. Subsequently, random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) classification models were constructed using hyperspectral spectral data. These models were further optimized through the application of 72 preprocessing methods and their combinations. Additionally, to enhance the model’s performance, four variable screening algorithms were employed: SelectKBest, genetic algorithm (GA), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and permutation feature importance (PFI). The optimized model, utilizing second derivative, auto scaling, permutation feature importance, and support vector machine (2nd Der-AS-PFI-SVM), achieved a prediction accuracy of 93.4 %, a Kappa value of 0.876, a Brier score of 0.030, an F1 score of 0.932, and an AUC of 0.994 on an independent prediction set. Moreover, the image data (including color information and texture information) extracted from color and X-ray images were used to construct classification models and evaluate their performance. Among them, the SVM model constructed using texture information from X -ray images performed the best, and it achieved a prediction accuracy of 63.0 % on the validation set, with a Brier score of 0.181, an F1 score of 0.518, and an AUC of 0.553. By implementing mid-level fusion and high-level data fusion based on the Stacking strategy, it was found that the model employing a high-level fusion of hyperspectral spectral information and X-ray images texture information significantly outperformed the model using only hyperspectral spectral information. This advanced model attained a prediction accuracy of 95.2 %, a Kappa value of 0.912, a Brier score of 0.027, an F1 score of 0.952, and an AUC of 0.997 on the independent prediction set. In summary, this study not only provides a novel technical path for fast and nondestructive traceability of Panax ginseng origin, but also demonstrates the great potential of the combined application of HSI and X-ray technology in the field of traceability of both medicinal and food products.

Discovering the conceptual building blocks of blockchain technology applications in the agri-food supply chain: a review and research agenda

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an overview of the application of blockchain to agri-food supply chains, including key issues and trends. It examines the state of the art and conceptual structure of the field and proposes an agenda to guide future research.Design/methodology/approachThis article performs a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software on a sample of 205 articles from the WoS database to identify research trend topics.FindingsThe number of publications in this area has increased since 2020, which shows a growing research interest. The research hotspots are related to the integration of blockchain technology in the agri-food supply chain for traceability, coordination between all actors involved, transparency of operations and improvement of food safety. Furthermore, this is linked to sustainability and the achievement of the sustainable development gtoals (SDGs), while addressing key challenges in the implementation of blockchain-based technologies in the agri-food supply chain.Practical implicationsThe application of blockchain in the agri-food supply chain may consider four key aspects. Firstly, the implementation of blockchain can improve the traceability of food products. Secondly, this technology supports sustainability issues and could avoid disruptions in the agri-food supply chain. Third, blockchain improves food quality and safety control throughout the supply chain. Fourthly, the findings show that regulation is needed to improve trust between stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper provides a comprehensive overview of the blockchain phenomenon in the agri-food supply chain by optimising the search criteria. Moreover, it serves to bridge to future research by identifying gaps in the field.

Assessment of Storage Practices in Warehousing Companies of Groundnut Export in North Kordofan State with Reference to GSP (WHO, 2019)

This study was conducted in all groundnut export warehousing Companies namely: (A, B, C, D, E and F) in EL Obied Town of North Kordofan State during the season 2023. The objective of the study to assessment of storage practices of export Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and compare with reference to Good Storage Practices (WHO, 2019). The data were collected by audit checklist prepared by WHO, 2019. The data were statistically analyzed by using Likert- five scale points and the significant different between means obtained by LSD at level of significant 0.05%. The result revealed that the general arithmetic mean of the three categories; (organization and management), (Quality system & traceability of food products) and (Vehicles and equipment) were score higher than 4.2 points in warehousing Companies A, B, D, and F these result refilled that full compliance, while the rest Companies were scored ranged between 3.4.- 4.1 points incomes minor deficiency. Also The result revealed that the general arithmetic mean of the five categories; (Personnel), (Shipping containers and container labeling), (Dispatch and receipt), (Documentation) and (Self-inspections) were score higher than 4.2 points in all warehousing Companies these result approved full compliance. Moreover, the result revealed that the general arithmetic mean of the two categories; (Complaints) and (Recalls) were scoring 4 points in all warehousing Companies these result agreed full compliance. The result concluded that the obtained total score (out of 345 points) of storage practices for warehousing Companies A, B, C, and E were 261,260, 221 and 249 points respectively these result finding indicting classified unsatisfactory due to (≤ 80 %). while the warehousing Company D was score 276 points these outcome indicting classified standard due to (≥ 80 ≤ 84%) and the warehousing Company F was score 297 points these conclusion indicting classified good due to (≥ 85 ≤ 89% ) according to Global Food Safety(GFS,2013). The study recommended that the warehousing companies require to application Total Quality Management system (TQM) to ensure food safety and food quality of their raw material and end products as well as increase the power competitive on global level

Check Your Shopping Cart: DNA Barcoding and Mini-Barcoding for Food Authentication.

The molecular approach of DNA barcoding for the characterization and traceability of food products has come into common use in many European countries. However, it is important to address and solve technical and scientific issues such as the efficiency of the barcode sequences and DNA extraction methods to be able to analyze all the products that the food sector offers. The goal of this study is to collect the most defrauded and common food products and identify better workflows for species identification. A total of 212 specimens were collected in collaboration with 38 companies belonging to 5 different fields: seafood, botanicals, agrifood, spices, and probiotics. For all the typologies of specimens, the most suitable workflow was defined, and three species-specific primer pairs for fish were also designed. Results showed that 21.2% of the analyzed products were defrauded. A total of 88.2% of specimens were correctly identified by DNA barcoding analysis. Botanicals (28.8%) have the highest number of non-conformances, followed by spices (28.5%), agrifood (23.5%), seafood (11.4%), and probiotics (7.7%). DNA barcoding and mini-barcoding are confirmed as fast and reliable methods for ensuring quality and safety in the food field.

A Highly Condensed Social Fact: Food Citizenship, Individual Responsibility, and Social Commitment

The paper is based on the crucial value of food as “a condensed social fact”. The analysis focuses on food narratives, responsible consumption, battles for the food emancipation of subaltern and low-income subjects, and attention to the quality, fairness, and traceability of food products as an expression of individual agency, as well as an expression of public engagement with food democracy/citizenship conflicts and frictions. Preliminarily, the paper moves from a discussion of collective agency on food strategies and representations to a critical approach to food democracy and sustainable society. This public arena for food debates is then confronted with personal behaviors embodying food citizenship in the contemporary scenario of socio-economic and environmental transition. The paper addresses the following sustainable development goals: responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), ending hunger, food security, improved nutrition, sustainable agriculture (SDG 2), and health and well-being (SDG 3). Starting from the democratic/neoliberal dichotomy, the paper will consider food governmentality as a positive alternative to food emancipation and democracy, as well as a personal need and a neo-communitarian political approach opposed to agroindustry and food consumerism and dispossession. Three case studies, all situated in the central–southern Italian region of Molise, will discuss different models of food citizenship and governmentality, as well as the relationship between individual responsibility and desires and collective commitment and perspectives. These issues will be framed within a rural economy paradigm and articulated through an ethnographic methodology: local data collection, emic/ethic representations, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. This long-term observation has been realized in the framework of several projects that were coordinated and developed by the authors, who worked for several years in the regional territory, especially on projects focusing on local/regional/national policies of sustainable rural development and bio-cultural heritage conservation and valorization according to the mission of the research center, which they founded and coordinated over the last seven years. The case studies and discussion allow for some final consideration of the impact of individual and community agencies on the achievement of SDGs, the presence of not exclusively consumeristic and hedonistic behaviors, and the growing attention to ecological concerns being paid food producers and distributors, as well as new forms of rural–urban circularity and entanglements aiming toward greater awareness and democratization of food access, security, and sustainable agriculture.

A study of the lipid profile of Coix seeds from four areas based on untargeted lipidomics combined with multivariate algorithms to enable tracing of their origin

The geographical traceability of food products is seen as a distinctive feature of the future of food which is increasingly becoming a concern for consumers. In this research, differences in the lipid composition of Coix seed samples from four major Chinese origins were investigated using non-targeted lipidomics. By multivariate statistical analysis, unsupervised PCA and OPLS-DA based differentiation between the four origins of Coix seed samples could be achieved. The OPLS-DA VIP > 1 screened 72 lipids out of 1211 lipids as potential markers to distinguish Coix seeds from different origins. In addition, the potential markers (SPH(d16:0), Cer(d18:2/20:0 + O) and PC(8:0e/8:0) were combined with statistical analysis algorithms to construct a discriminant function for rapid differentiation of Coix seed samples from different origins and a specific function for different origins with 100% discrimination accuracy. In general, a rapid and accurate method combining multivariate chemometrics and algorithms was developed based on untargeted lipidomics to determine the geographical origin of Coix seed samples, which can also be applied to other agricultural products.

Blockchain Database and IoT: A Technology driven Agri-Food Supply Chain

This article explores the potential of blockchain database and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to improve the trustworthiness of the agri-food supply chain. It provides an overview of the challenges facing the supply chain, including food safety, traceability, and sustainability, and how blockchain and IoT can address these challenges based on secondary data. This paper presents a case study of a blockchain-based platform that utilizes IoT sensors to provide end- to-end visibility and traceability of food products. The findings demonstrate the potential for this technology to improve food safety, reduce waste, and increase transparency in the agri-food supply chain. Overall, the study demonstrates the potentiality of blockchain and IoT in revolutionizing the agri-food industry and creating a more trustworthy, responsible and sustainable food system.

Using Composable NFTs for Trading and Managing Expensive Packaged Products in the Food Industry

The authenticity, traceability, and management of expensive food products require trusted, secure, and transparent end-to-end data provenance and transactions. In today’s systems, transactions and data related to managing and tracing the origins and history of food products are typically stored in segregated data repositories, and controlled and managed by centralized entities, with no access or visibility to the public or key stakeholders. This increases the risk of data loss, alteration, and tampering. Further it erodes trust among all stakeholders, and weakens consumer sentiment and confidence in the expensive food market, and raises concerns about the verifiability and authenticity of expensive food products. To overcome this problem, this paper addresses the lack of traceability and authenticity problems in expensive food products utilizing blockchain technology and NFTs. NFTs are blockchain-based tokens that can be utilized to represent ownership of unique assets. We propose an NFT-based solution for expensive food products trading management, where the ownership of a food product is maintained by using digital certification, and the trading process is facilitated by smart contracts. We utilize composable NFTs for food products, where interrelated products, such as raw materials, packaged products, and Lots, are represented as top-down and bottom-up composable NFTs in the form of parent-child relationship. Composable NFTs embed extra utility within NFTs, especially when subsets of NFTs are needed. We integrate the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) decentralized storage into our solution to avoid storing large files on the blockchain while maintaining their permanency and immutability. We present various diagrams to show the system elements and the interactions among them. We illustrate algorithms along with the solution implementation details. We evaluate our solution by conducting cost and security analyses. We make our smart contracts code publicly available on GitHub.

Traceability System in Halal Procurement: A Bibliometric Review

Background: The increasing Muslim population worldwide will increase the Islamic market share in the future. Thus, the higher demand for halal food has caused the food industry to pay attention to the quality control system for the ingredients used. This paper aims to review the previous literature regarding the traceability system for halal suppliers in the food supply chain to achieve the specified halal standards. It discusses the literature review as a method for conducting research and offers an overview of different types of reviews, as well as some guidelines to both conduct and evaluate a literature review. Methods: The method uses a sample of about 200 articles from the structured literature study period in 2007–2021. We use Perish application to identify journals, articles, citations, authors, and keywords. Results: The analysis reveals five research topic clusters: traceability, halal supply chain, food supply chain, halal logistics, and halal lifestyle. There is a strong relationship between procurement and traceability. Procurement is related to the food industry and halal traceability. The food product traceability system provides transparency in food manufacturing, enabling customers to trust halal product claims. The results show that food supply chain information systems can enable traceability and transparency. Conclusions: The review of this analysis is related to the supplier traceability system in the halal-food-production supply chain, which can help explore halal supplier issues and trends. For future research, technology can be used within a traceability system in the halal food industry, such as data interchange, radio frequency identification, and blockchain.

Research on optimization of food supply chain considering product traceability recall and safety investment

Strict food regulations, high‐quality product demand, and fierce market competition urge food enterprises to focus on the optimization strategy of product safety and traceability recall in the food chain. To better meet customers' safety and quality expectations and reduce the loss of problematic products that fail to be recalled in time, the paper establishes a two‐level food supply chain consisting of a single manufacturer and supplier, uses the Stackelberg game to explore the interaction between traceability recall and product safety optimization in the food chain, and finds the best food safety investment and product traceability recall strategy. And we consider the case of the former investing in the latter's product safety efforts. The results show that the food safety premium sharing rate determines the optimal decision of manufacturers and suppliers when each member is faced with the difference between the loss cost of unrecalled food per unit and the traceable recall cost coefficient. In addition, the higher safety investment cost factor increases the burden on the entire supply chain and reduces the safety benefits of the food chain. Moreover, higher security investment cost factors increase the burden on the entire supply chain and reduce the safety benefits of the food chain. Interestingly, suppliers can take advantage of the increased cost per unit of unrecalled products to obtain higher safety investments when manufacturers implement recall measures for problematic foods. We also introduced blockchain technology and discovered Pareto optima for food safety. When the supplier bears part of the problem of food loss, food safety, quality, and investment are high. The conclusions show that product traceability recall is beneficial to the overall welfare of the food chain.

A survey on traceability in food safety system using blockchain

By the development of living standards people are more involved in food safety and quality of product. Due to this scenario the traceability of food products becomes the need of every consumer. By the various characteristics of Blockchain such as transparency, decentralization and immutability, it is possible to address the problems existing in the supply chain. In this paper, a survey has been done on the traceability system in food supply chain management using Blockchain. Various methods used for traceability purposes in food supply chain management, issues faced by centralized systems in the fields of food safety, traceability, and security have been discussed in the current work. Moreover, the survey focussed on the platforms namely smart contract and Ethereum which helps in implementing the food supply chain management using blockchain.

The sustainability role in the purchasing choice of agri-food products in the United Arab Emirates and Italy

<abstract> <p>The paper starts from the assumption that a greater level of sustainability in national food systems can be achieved with the contribution of the consumer. Nowadays, the consumer can condition the choices of the production system, with a greater demand for reassurance on the quality, safety, and traceability of food products. To confirm this hypothesis, this study intends to verify sensitivity to sustainability, purchase behavior, and type of sustainable products in consumer samples of two territorial contexts, the United Arab Emirates and Sicily. The analysis of the results shows the interest of the UAE consumers for organic products and Sicily consumers for local products from a short and zero-kilometer supply chain which is the expression of traditions and opportunities for socio-economic development in the region. The picture is enriched with some food for thought on aspects closely linked to agri-food sustainability.</p> </abstract>

CRISPR-Cas9 and Food in the European Union: An Organic Solution to an Undetectable Problem for Food Business Operators

AbstractVarious methods of genetic modification have been applied to plant breeding as an integral part of agriculture. This article examines a method of targeted mutagenesis – CRISPR-Cas9 – and its dysregulation in the European Union (EU). It provides clarity for food business operators relating to the traceability and labelling of food products induced using this biotechnology. In addition, it outlines policy recommendations to improve the regulation of such food products in the EU.

The influence of blockchain-based food traceability on retailer choice: The mediating role of 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.

Biodegradable Food Packaging Materials and Prospects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Tomato Fruit and Product Handling.

The environment and food safety are major areas of concern influencing the development of biodegradable packaging for partial replacement of petrochemical-based polymers. This review is aimed at updating the recent advances in biodegradable packaging material and the role of virtual technology and nanotechnology in the tomato supply chain. Some of the common biodegradable materials are gelatin, starch, chitosan, cellulose, and polylactic acid. The tensile strength, tear resistance, permeability, degradability, and solubility are some of the properties defining the selection and utilization of food packaging materials. Biodegradable films can be degraded in soil by microbial enzymatic actions and bioassimilation. Nanoparticles are incorporated into blended films to improve the performance of packaging materials. The prospects of the fourth industrial revolution can be realized with the use of virtual platforms such as sensor systems in authentification and traceability of food and packaging products. There is a research gap on the development of a hybrid sensor system unit that can integrate sampling headspace (SHS), detection unit, and data processing of big data for heterogeneous tomato-derived volatiles. Principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and artificial neutral network (ANN) are some of the common mathematical models for data interpretation of sensor systems.

Blockchain technology in food industry ecosystem

Food industry is unique from the point of view of Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) which is a supply chain management initiative specific to the food industry and reflects organizations’ efforts to achieve quick response to reaching to market and ultimately consumer using Electronic Data Interchange, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification and bar codes. This paper would focus on looking at pros and cons of evaluating traditional traceability (is an important link in protecting public health since it allows health agencies to more quickly and accurately identify the source of contaminated food, fruit or vegetables believed to be the cause of an outbreak of foodborne illness, remove them from the marketplace, and communicate to the supply chain) matrix versus newly introduced disruptive technology called blockchain. This report outlines various components of traceability and its relation to other parts and methodologies in ensuring food product authenticity the paper further outlines detailing of blockchain technology its various types, implementation with examples and application in food industry. The concluding part of paper compares traditional vs. blockchain methods in regard to cost benefit analysis and implementation perspective of blockchain. The paper through reasoning and arguments justifies that how blockchain bases systems of food traceability are more suitable from speed, confidentiality and ease of implementation perspective as compared to traditional electronic traceability and current systems. From limitation perspective this paper highlights how lack of interoperability is currently the biggest one obstacle preventing system-wide, farm-to-fork food product traceability.

Identification of Molecular Markers Specific to the Bovine Species Used in the Production of Food Products of Animal Origin

Molecular markers are a helpful tool for species detection of meat origin, in order to determine with accuracy the possible fraud of animal-based food products. In this study, blood, milk and cheese samples were taken from the Romanian “Bălțata” bovine species. In the blood extraction stage, the commercial Wizard Genomic DNA Extraction Kit was used, and for the milk and cheese extraction, the SureFood®PREP Advanced kit was used. Target DNA amplification in all the three matrices was performed with the StockMarks for Cattle kit. It was found that the analyzed loci had the size of the fragments within the reference range given by the kit used, which concludes that the blood, milk and the cheese have the same origin, from the same animal of the bovine species. Therefore, through the genotyping technique, traceability of food products can be achieved and the species of origin can be identified.

Reviewing studies of radio frequency identification applications in supply chain for food safety

Food security and safety are central topics worth to be investigated by academicians and practitioners. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is more than a tool with wireless microchips for identification but a facilitator that increases the traceability of food products and better business model innovations. This paper reviews the literature of issues regarding RFID in the context of food supply chains (e.g. issues on the feasibility of RFID for better food traceability). We make a careful review of 13 papers published in 9 SSCI journals and conferences published from 2004 to 2016. Findings are discussed for offering suggestions that could improve the research streams and practices.

A universal analytical approach for screening and monitoring of authorized and unauthorized GMOs

Release of various genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into market during the past decade contributes to concerns regarding the traceability of food and feed products. In this study, a comprehensive list of inserted elements of commercialized GMOs has been collected, which contained information of 191 singular genetically modified (GM) varieties. Several elements were selected to develop a universal analytical approach for screening GM presence in food and feed products. This approach achieved coverage of those singular GM events as well as their hybrid crosses. The developed screening approach showed great specificity and sensitivity of less than 25 copies that meet the labeling demands for all countries. Moreover, microfluidic chip and digital PCR were combined in this approach to detect GM varieties and estimate GM content, both of which achieved high-throughput and accurate identification of unauthorized GMOs. Overall, this new analytical approach will serve as a functional tool for accurate control of authorized and unauthorized GMOs.

An automated alarm system for food safety by using electronic invoices

Invoices had been used in food product traceability, however, none have addressed the automated alarm system for food safety by utilizing electronic invoice big data. In this paper, we present an alarm system for edible oil manufacture that can prevent a food safety crisis rather than trace problematic sources post-crisis. Using nearly 100 million labeled e-invoices from the 2013‒2014 of 595 edible oil manufacturers provided by Ministry of Finance, we applied text-mining, statistical and machine learning techniques to "train" the system for two functions: (1) to sieve edible oil-related e-invoices of manufacturers who may also produce other merchandise and (2) to identify suspicious edible oil manufacture based on irrational transactions from the e-invoices sieved. The system was able to (1) accurately sieve the correct invoices with sensitivity >95% and specificity >98% via text classification and (2) identify problematic manufacturers with 100% accuracy via Random Forest machine learning method, as well as with sensitivity >70% and specificity >99% through simple decision-tree method. E-invoice has bright future on the application of food safety. It can not only be used for product traceability, but also prevention of adverse events by flag suspicious manufacturers. Compulsory usage of e-invoice for food producing can increase the accuracy of this alarm system.