Traceability Technology Research Articles

Beyond Compliance: Leveraging Regulatory Compliance to Drive Innovation in Food Supply Chain Traceability

Purpose: The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204, effective January 2026, represents a transformative shift in global food supply chain management, emphasizing proactive over reactive traceability. This research investigates FSMA 204's regulatory framework, associated challenges, and its potential to drive innovation. Methodology: Through qualitative analysis and case studies of Trustwell and Campbell Soup Company, the study identifies the dual role of FSMA 204 as both a compliance mandate and a catalyst for operational advancements. Key challenges include high compliance costs, technological integration barriers, and limited timelines. However, the regulation incentivizes the adoption of advanced technologies such as blockchain for secure record-keeping, IoT for real-time monitoring, and AI/ML for predictive analytics, which collectively enhance transparency, efficiency, and competitive differentiation. These innovations turn regulatory obligations into opportunities for businesses to optimize supply chain processes, improve consumer trust, and achieve sustainability. Case studies demonstrate how strategic planning and the use of traceability technologies enable compliance while promoting ESG goals. Findings: The findings underscore the importance of proactive strategies and technological investments to navigate FSMA 204's requirements effectively. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This research contributes to the discourse by framing FSMA 204 compliance as a strategic enabler for businesses to foster growth and sustainability, positioning it as a global benchmark for traceability standards. By leveraging these insights, food industry stakeholders can transform compliance challenges into pathways for innovation and resilience.

Research Projects towards an Innovative, Digitalised, and Responsible Extractive Industry: Examples from the Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics

Abstract Within the current digitalisation trend across industries, new technologies are reshaping the different stages of the mining life cycle. In this context, one of the focuses of the Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics of Montanuniversität Leoben is to promote and contribute to the implementation of multi-actor research projects to foster the adoption and development of new technologies in the minerals sector. Bringing the recent developments with practical needs and requirements from the industry closer together is critical to continue advancing towards more responsible extractive practices. As part of this effort, three EU-funded projects in which the Chair has significant participation are described in this article: S34I, focused on promoting further application of earth observation technologies in the mining industry; DigiEcoQuarry, a digitalisation initiative in the aggregate sector seeking to enhance environmental, economic, safety, and social aspects of quarries in Europe; and MaDiTraCe, a project aimed at integrating advanced digital and material traceability technologies to face the challenges of traceability in critical raw materials supply chains, greater transparency and accountability in the extraction and processing of mineral resources. All three projects advance the vision and strategy of the Chair by promoting digitalisation and integration of innovative approaches. Furthermore, their synergies lay the foundation for prospective projects and future industry-academia collaborations.

Aroma Identification and Traceability of the Core Sub-Producing Area in the Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills Using Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics.

The combination of volatile compounds endows wines with unique aromatic characteristics and is closely related to their geographical origins. In the pursuit of origin identification and the subdivision of homogeneous production areas, clarifying the characteristics of production areas is of great significance for improving wine quality and commercial value. In this study, GC×GC-TOFMS technology was used to analyze the aroma characteristics of "Cabernet Sauvignon" wines from 26 wineries in the Helan (HL), Yinchuan (YC), Yongning (YN), Qingtongxia (QTX), and Hongsibu (HSP) sub-producing areas in the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain in Ningxia, China. The results indicate a gradual increase in relative humidity from the southern part of Ningxia, with the YN sub-region showing optimal fruit development and the QTX region having the highest maturity. A total of 184 volatile compounds were identified, with 36 compounds with an OAV > 1, crucial for the aroma profiles of primarily fermentation-derived alcohols and esters. An aromatic vector analysis revealed that "floral" and "fruity" notes are the primary characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Helan Mountain East region, with lower maturity aiding in the retention of these aromas. By constructing a reliable OPLS-DA model, it was determined that 15 substances (VIP > 1) played a crucial role in identifying production areas, among which phenylethyl alcohol and isoamyl alcohol were the main contributors. In addition, a Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between sunlight duration during the growing season and benzyl alcohol accumulation, while a significant positive correlation was observed during the ripening period. Due to the critical role of phenyl ethanol in identifying producing areas, this further demonstrates that sunshine conditions may be a key factor contributing to the differences in wine flavor across regions. This study offers a theoretical foundation for understanding the relationship between climatic factors and flavor characteristics, addressing the issue of wine homogenization in small production areas, clarifying typical style characteristics, and establishing a traceability technology system based on characteristic aroma.

Implementing traceability technologies to promote ethical sourcing in Ghana’s fashion and apparel industry

ABSTRACT The demand for traceability has emerged as a significant imperative within the framework of an ethical supply chain that includes multiple stages. This study focusses on the implementation and impact of traceability technology in the Ghanaian fashion industry. The study employed descriptive and explanatory research, using a 700-stakeholder sample, a standardised questionnaire, and descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings of the study indicate that QR codes, GPS tracking, sustainable material tracing, and consumer interaction apps demonstrate a high level of effectiveness within the Ghanaian fashion business. The implementation of traceability technology faces challenges like limited knowledge, research insufficient, lack of coordination, policy absence, financial constraints, technological infrastructure limitations, data privacy concerns, opposition, and training gaps. Stakeholders generally support the implementation of coordination policies and regulatory compliance strategies, suggesting that factors like awareness, research, cost, infrastructure, data protection, opposition, and training should be prioritised.

Discovering Islamic marketing potential in shaping blockchain-­based halal logistic services: a bibliometric analysis

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the Islamic marketing literature to uncover potential customer adoption behaviours and enhance the effectiveness of blockchain-based halal logistics services in catering to customer demands. The findings of this paper provide substantial contributions to the realms of both halal logistics services and Islamic marketing literature, delineating future paths for research. By delving into halal logistics practices, integration procedures and service provider performance, this paper assists stakeholders in enhancing halal logistics services to meet the changing demands of customers effectively.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a systematic review incorporating bibliometric analysis to examine past and contemporary research topics, selecting and appraising contributions while analysing and consolidating data. A methodical approach has been used to identify, assess and incorporate pertinent studies on Islamic characteristics, traceability technology, blockchain integration and halal logistics practices.FindingsAfter screening and analysing 139 selected documents with the VOS viewer, it is evident that among a 1,000 keywords, 15 stand out in terms of frequency and link strength. The research highlights the considerable academic interest in themes such as “blockchain”, “halal logistics” and “supply chain”, underscoring their importance. The findings of this paper help bridge the gap in Islamic marketing by linking technology with religious values. It suggests that the integration of blockchain technology in halal logistics enhances operational efficiency while aligning with both operational and Islamic marketing principles, promoting ethical conduct and transparency as key enablers.Practical implicationsThe theoretical significance of this paper lies in establishing a correlation among three key research domains: technology, symbolised by blockchain; customer-centric operations, incorporating the halal supply chain and logistics within Islamic marketing. The outcomes reflect consumer behaviour and Shariah compliance. This integration has the potential to introduce innovative theoretical frameworks that encompass religious ethics in marketing, logistics and technological advancements.Originality/valueThis paper comprehensively analyses the intersection between blockchain technology, halal logistics, supply chain management and Islamic marketing. The paper has comprehensively analysed previous studies and outlined the future research path for blockchain technology in halal logistics and its application in Islamic marketing literature.

LC-MS/MS-based quantitative method and metrological traceability technology for measuring components of animal origin in beef and lamb and their products

Establishing a quantitative detection method for adulterated meat products is crucial for ensuring food safety. However, due to the lack of metrological traceability in current quantitative methods, poor reliability and comparability always occur when measuring adulterated meat. Therefore, this study established an accurate quantitative method with metrological traceability for the quantitative analysis of pork and duck meat added to beef, lamb, and their products. We took the amino acid certified reference materials (CRMs) as the source of traceability, and traced the quantitative peptide concentrations of adulterated beef, lamb and their products to SI. Finally, the quantitative method has high accuracy and high repeatability and we utilized it to achieve accurate quantification of adulterated meat products, with an uncertainty range of 10.7 %–18.5 %, k = 2.

AGRARIAN. AI

For the agriculture industry to remain sustainable, it needs to improve output, quality, marketing infrastructure, and food management. Supply chain transparency is required due to food safety concerns, and traceability technologies such as blockchain and AI are essential for confirming the provenance of products. Significant improvements to the agricultural system are required to meet growing demand. Blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) are two examples of modern technologies that are essential for solving difficult problems and expediting procedures. In order to advance agriculture toward a more transparent, safe, and sustainable future, this abstract highlight the significance of technology.

Dynamic game research of food agricultural products supply chain based on blockchain traceability technology

PurposeFood quality and safety issues have always been imperative topics discussed by people. The anti-tampering of blockchain technology and the transparency of information make it possible to improve food traceability and safety quality. How to effectively apply blockchain traceability technology to food safety has great research significance for improving food safety and consumer quality trust.Design/methodology/approachThe paper aims to analyze the differences in product quality levels and market participants’ profits before and after the use of blockchain-driven traceability technology in the food agricultural product supply chain (SC) in the dynamic game frameworks of supplier-led and retailer-led modes, respectively, and explores the willingness, social welfare and consumer surplus of each member of the agricultural product SC to participate in the blockchain. Besides, We investigate the SC performance improvement with the mechanism of central centralized decision-making and revenue-sharing contract, compared to the SC performance in dynamic games.FindingsThe results are obtained as follow: The adoption of blockchain traceability technology can help improve the quality of food agricultural products, consumer surplus and social welfare, but the application and popularization of technology is hindered by traceability technology installment costs. Compared with the supplier leadership model, retailer-led food quality level, customer surplus and social welfare are higher.Research limitations/implicationsHow to effectively apply blockchain traceability technology to food safety has great research significance for improving food safety and consumer quality trust.Practical implicationsFood quality and safety issues have always been hot topics discussed by people. The anti-tampering of blockchain technology and the transparency of information make it possible to improve food traceability and safety quality.Social implicationsThe research results enrich the theories related to food safety and quality, and provide a valuable reference for food enterprises involved in the decision-making exploration of blockchain technology.Originality/valueBased on the characteristics of blockchain technology, the demand function is adjusted and the product loss risk of channel members is transferred through a Stackelberg game SC composed of agricultural products suppliers and retailers.Highlights:•We introduce two features of blockchain: quality trust and product information tracking.•The willingness of each member of the supply chain to use blockchain for product traceability was explored.•The overall traceability effect of the retailer-led blockchain is better than that of the manufacturer-led blockchain.•The cost of blockchain technology is a barrier to its adoption.•Blockchain brings higher consumer surplus and social welfare.

Optimizing traceability scheme in a fresh product supply chain considering product competition in blockchain era

Fresh product traceability plays an integral role in ensuring food safety. Recently, many firms have introduced blockchain technology (BCT) for product traceability to guarantee product authenticity and consumer rights. However, introduction of the new technology has also intensified the competition among fresh products. Meanwhile, previous studies on traceability strategies only considered the impact of traceability cost and ignored the issue of increased product competition in blockchain era. Driven by these problems, we build a game-theoretical model to analyze the optimization of traceability schemes for both low-end fresh products (LEFP) and high-end fresh products (HEFP) in a fresh product supply chain (FPSC) in a competitive environment. Moreover, this paper investigates the impact of power structure on traceability schemes and identifies the conditions under which one scheme outperforms the others. We find that the cost per unit of product input has no effect on the traceability decision of the FPSC. Nonetheless, the introduction of BCT increases the number of consumers who choose LEFP and raises the selling price and wholesale price of corresponding products. Finally, from the supply chain perspective, it is best to adopt the same traceability scheme for both products. This study sheds light on the use of BCT in traceability can provide enhanced product authenticity and consumer rights while increasing product competition and demonstrates the significance of traceability schemes in the FPSC.

How retailers can gain more profitability driven by digital technology: Live streaming promotion and blockchain technology traceability?

Live streaming in e-commerce often faces challenges like counterfeit products and high return rates. To mitigate this issue, retailers can adopt blockchain technology for product traceability to enhance consumer trust, i.e., blockchain-traceable products may be sold in live streaming. Our paper presents three analytical models under various return policies to explore how live streaming and blockchain technology interact in e-commerce. Retailers can invest in live streaming with influencers to attract consumers and in blockchain technology to reduce product returns, benefiting from a demand-enhancing effect and a price-enhancing effect, respectively. The retailer’s investment strategy between live streaming and blockchain technology depends on the interactions of these two effects, moderated by the retailer’s budget type, the market commission level of live streaming, and the traceability cost of blockchain technology. For budget-constrained retailers, live streaming and blockchain technology act as substitutes. When the commission level is low (high) and the traceability cost is high (low), the demand-enhancing (price-enhancing) effect dominates the price-enhancing (demand-enhancing) effect, thus the retailer invests in live streaming (blockchain technology) as a substitute for blockchain technology (live streaming). Conversely, for budget-unconstrained retailers, they may act as complements, prompting investment in both when commission levels and traceability costs are low. The retailer does not invest in either when both the commission level and traceability cost are high. We extend our results to a full refund policy to show the robustness of our result and find that it reduces the retailer’s incentive to invest in live streaming or blockchain technology.

Transparency requirements after the pandemic: traceability information, information usefulness and trust

PurposeThe flagship traceability technology is increasing transparency, social benefit and economic value particularly after the pandemic. There has not been much research on how information quality in transparency affects information usefulness and trust. The research model is built on the framework of transparency requirements and incorporates the usefulness of traceability information and trust.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire survey was used for data collection. To evaluate the research model, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. Measurement invariance analysis was used to investigate variations in trust between groups.FindingsThe results show that transparency requirements including information relevancy, ease of manipulation and value-added information affect information usefulness. The usefulness of traceability information positively affects trust in producers. Information receivers who believe in the credibility of traceability information have a higher level of trust than those who do not.Originality/valueThe results have important theoretical and practical implications for academia and industry to devise strategies and policies on data-centric traceability systems.

Smell the Perfume: Can Blockchain Guarantee the Provenance of Key Product Ingredients in the Fragrance Industry?

Although many studies have proclaimed the potential benefits of blockchain technology for supply chain traceability, there are very few examples of successfully scaled blockchain traceability solutions. Here, we examine the challenges in adopting blockchain-based traceability solutions using the case of a complex globally fragmented industry—the fragrance sector. Fragrances are used in a vast number of products. Leading brands make substantial claims about the origin, production methods, certifications and environmental and social sustainability of the fragrances in their products. We categorize the types of traceability-related claims made and examine the potential use of blockchain to support them. The industry exemplifies the challenges in ensuring supply chain traceability in globally dispersed supply chains. The research highlights the potential of blockchain-based traceability solutions but identifies four major challenges—bringing together supply chain partners for a blockchain initiative, disclosing and sharing more information than is common in buyer-supplier relationships, ensuring information encoded on a blockchain provides an accurate record of a product’s journey through the supply chain and involving parties such as regulatory and industry bodies in blockchain initiatives. The challenges identified are reflected in supply chains that are fragmented and globally dispersed, showing why the uptake of blockchain-based traceability has been limited in such sectors.

RFID technology for monitoring and traceability in pork production

RFID technology for monitoring and traceability in pork production

Digital Traceability Capabilities: The Case of the Ethiopian Coffee Supply Chain

Digital technologies are essential tools that enable traceability in supply chains. In low-income countries, traceability represents a challenge due to the complicated structure of supply chains and the involvement of multiple stakeholders. This research developed a framework for a digital traceability system (TS), using the Ethiopian coffee supply chain as a case study. A literature review was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of state-of-the-art digital traceability technologies. A logistics audit was conducted to map the coffee supply chain in Ethiopia and evaluate the implementation level of traceability technologies. Although the implementation of traceability technologies in the Ethiopian coffee supply chain is low, the results revealed that the usage of traceability technologies improves downstream of the supply chain. The traceability framework developed in this study ranges from a paper-based TS to a fully digitalised TS. The implementation of a TS in the coffee supply chain of Ethiopia is met with several challenges such as affordability, limited awareness, resistance of certain stakeholders, infrastructure limitations, restricted accessibility of some technologies and insufficient policy frameworks. Stakeholders from low-income countries can use the framework developed in this study to adopt a TS for their supply chains in line with their needs and current digitalisation levels.

A Blockchain-Based Model for Traceability and Quality Management of Raw Materials in Clothing Products

In this study, we employ blockchain-based traceability technology to construct a comprehensive model for raw material traceability and quality management in clothing products. Additionally, we investigate engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) for their antibacterial, hydrophilic, and anti-pilling effects on textiles. The EWNS can serve as an effective tool for monitoring quality, enabling precise tracking and verification of nanomaterials during clothing production. The research validated the traceability performance of the blockchain-based model for raw material traceability and quality management in clothing products, achieving a remarkable traceability accuracy of 99.92% and an exceptionally low traceability response time of merely 1.83 seconds. Moreover, after being treated with EWNS, antibacterial rates against E. coli and S. aureus in clothing antibacterial quality management reached 99.9% and 99.0%, respectively. In the hydrophilicity test, EWNS was applied to clothing for a duration of 1 to 7 hours, resulting in a significant reduction in the wetting time of clothing from 10.8 seconds to 1.2 seconds. In the anti-pilling tests, there was a notable enhancement in the effectiveness of anti-pilling properties after EWNS treatment. In summary, our model has achieved remarkable outcomes in material traceability and quality management, offering consumers and the clothing industry a reliable method to ensure product quality and traceability, while simultaneously improving performance aspects such as antibacterial efficacy, hydrophilicity, and resistance against pilling.

Forward–reverse blockchain traceability: promoting electric vehicles with battery recycling in the presence of subsidy

AbstractElectric vehicles (EVs) and their battery recycling have recently garnered heightened attention from both firms and consumers, primarily driven by concerns related to environmental sustainability. However, consumers often grapple with uncertainties regarding the green valuation of EVs. Integrating blockchain traceability technology presents a promising solution to mitigate these ambiguities by providing traceable, immutable, and precise information. Within this context, this research, grounded in a game-theoretical framework, delves into the strategies involving blockchain traceability in the pre-purchase and post-purchase stages of EVs. Specifically, the paper analytically studies the influence of three distinct strategies, namely, non-blockchain traceability, forward blockchain traceability, and Forward–reverse blockchain traceability, on the willingness of EV manufacturers to adopt blockchain technology. In addition, the study incorporates two prevalent government subsidies to scrutinize and contrast their implications on optimal outcomes. The findings of this study uncover the nuanced relationship between adopting blockchain traceability and its impact on EV sales. Notably, the research shows that the positive impact on consumers’ surplus from blockchain adoption depends on the cost coefficient of green low-carbon levels not exceeding a particular threshold. Moreover, regarding the use of government subsidies to enhance overall social welfare, it is shown that the forward blockchain traceability strategy should align with consumer-oriented subsidies and the Forward–reverse blockchain traceability strategy with EV maker-oriented subsidies.

Contribution of the ratoon sugarcane with planting years to river pollution evidenced from the four-year watershed observation

Non-point source pollution water erosion caused by sugarcane planting on sloping land is a serious environmental problem in tropical and subtropical regions. The adjustment of sugarcane planting patterns (ratio of perennial to new planting areas) will affect slope soil erosion. However, the relationship between the contribution of sugarcane land to river pollution load and the planting years of ratoon sugarcane remains unclear. To quantitatively analyse the contribution of sugarcane fields to eroded sediment nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads into the river in different ratoon years and growing seasons, this study was conducted in the intensive sugarcane cultivation area of the southern subtropical Guangxi Nala sub watershed, using the specific compound specific stable isotope (CSSI) traceability technology and real-time monitoring in the watershed. The changes of N and P loading of sugarcane soil erosion and sediment into the river was determined at different ratoon years (RS0-RS3) in addition to the related influencing factors. The results showed that the influence of different ratoon years on the N and P input loads of eroded sediment from sugarcane fields was significantly greater than that of runoff. The contribution of different ratoon sugarcane planting years (including root density) to the loads of sediment N and P into the river was 67.1 % (p < 0.01), which was 2.8 times that of runoff (24.3 %) (p < 0.05). With increasing ratoon sugarcane planting years, the N and P loads of sediment into the river from the sugarcane land decreased significantly; the ratoon sugarcane planting years showed a highly significant negative correlation with the N loads of sediment into the river from the sugarcane fields (p < 0.01), and a significant negative correlation with P (p < 0.05) was observed. Newly planted sugarcane contributed the most to the N and P sediment loads into the river at the seedling stage and the least at the maturity stage. Therefore, in the intensive sugarcane planting areas, to effectively control erosion-induced non-point source pollution, perennial sugarcane planting areas should be rationally in the newly planted sugarcane fields, especially at the seedling stage, to increase land surface cover.

Timber Traceability and Sustainable Transportation Management: A Review of Technologies and Procedures

There has been considerable research on sustainable forest management due to its importance in ensuring the long-term health of the forests and its industries. Traceability is an important tool to ensure that the wood and wood-based products are produced in a legal, sustainable, and ethical manner. Therefore, various technologies were implemented within the supply chain to monitor and trace the wood with the aim of fulfilling the traceability objectives. Using a systematic literature review, this paper provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art on the technologies and procedures used in timber traceability and transportation management. It debates traceability tradition and advanced methods such as smart marking, QR (Quick Response) codes, DNA fingerprinting, smartphone apps, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), machine learning, and computer vision since these technologies enable the integrity of the supply chain by documenting the source of wood and following up on the wood in all the stages, beginning from the standing tree until the final customer. The paper also reviews the advancements in wood transportation management systems, including spatial databases, GPS (Global Positioning System), and fleet management systems, which ultimately lead to real-time monitoring and optimisation of transportation routes, leading to improved efficiency and minimal environmental impact. The review results acknowledge that financial constraints, infrastructure limitations, data management uncertainties, acceptance and compliance issues, and stakeholder commitment are still challenges to implementing traceability technology in the forestry sector. Moreover, this review not only highlights how traceability systems promote responsible forestry practices, ensure sustainable timber sourcing, and develop supply chain management, but also the advantages of utilising these technological advances at economic, social, and environmental levels.

Halal Supply Chain Performance Measurement Model Involving Traceability Aspects: A Study in A Chicken Slaughterhouse

Abstract The food and beverage industry in Indonesia has the greatest overall consumption value of halal products across all industries, according to a research published by the Halal Market 2020/2021. The public becomes more aware of a product’s halal status as a result of this case, and they also demand further information about it. Thus, to guarantee a product’s transparency, halal traceability is required. Halal traceability refers to the process of tracking a product’s halal status. This study was carried out at PT Sreeya Sewu, a chicken slaughterhouse business that has integrated halal blockchain technology for halal traceability. The purpose of this study is to develop supply chain KPIs that take traceability into account. 12 Key Performance Indicators/KPIs will be chosen and verified once KPIs are created using the SCOR methodology. AHP pairwise comparisons will be used to weight the verified KPIs. According to the findings, KPI-02 has the most weight. KPI-10 Cycle time for item trace has the lowest weight at 0.076 and the highest percentage at 0.533 for halal training.

Research on the key technologies of the whole process of digital intelligent detection system of silicate binding material

Abstract In construction engineering, silicate binding material detection is the key work to ensure the safety of building structures. Although the current detection instruments have made great progress compared with the traditional detection methods, there are still problems such as low efficiency, heavy workload, and error-prone data due to manual operation. Based on the practical problems faced by silicate binding material quality detection, this paper studies the key technologies of the whole process digital intelligent detection system of silicate binding material, including multi-machine cooperative automatic dumping and scraping technology, multi-strategy robot scheduling algorithm and full-link traceability technology, and shows the application effect through the LIMS system function platform. The research effectively improves the working efficiency of silicate binding material detection, realizes real-time monitoring of data and unique coding of the whole process, and ensures the timeliness, authenticity, accuracy, and traceability of detection data.