Food Traceability Research Articles

Optimization of Food Supply Management under the Pandemic in China

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantines, mask mandates, product shortages, and business closures have caused serious impact in virtually all regions of the world. The COVID-19 has devastated the modern society and economy, which is particularly detrimental to the food supply chain industry. The crisis is expected to be long-lasting, which demands the food supply chain industry to responsively adapt and evolve through transformation and optimization of its management model. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food supply chain in China regarding its disruptions as well as challenges and explores the potential optimization solution to recalibrate its management model. Specifically, it looks at the phenomenon of delays and stoppages in food factories, shortage issues in an imported food market, rising costs and alarming food safety concerns that food supplies encountered, vexing food transportation issues, and the domino effect within the entire industry. To better cope with these problems, the study also aims at developing practical solutions to optimize the supply chain across sectors, including building and maintaining a cooperative relationship with suppliers, initiating contingency plans, and employing effective tools to maximize food traceability. Furthermore, study limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Research on milk powder production and sales management system based on Beidou positioning

Food safety is a major issue related to people's livelihood. In recent years, food safety incidents have emerged in China, and it is urgent to solve the problems in the field of food safety. Food safety traceability is an important means to ensure food safety. At present, BeiDou positioning system has not been widely used in food traceability, and the demand for dynamic food traceability has not been solved. To this end, the paper introduces the application of Beidou positioning technology to milk powder traceability supervision, combined with QR code scanning technology, to design a system that can be dynamically supervised. The product is based on the Beidou positioning system, which mainly includes a low-power Beidou positioning device terminal and a cloud server. The BeiDou locator attached to the bottom of the lid is the main device for all services to be realized, and the current location information of the device is obtained regularly when it is working. Combined with the two-dimensional code technology, it facilitates information entry and reading, and establishes a complete traceability supervision system, including an APP client, which facilitates users to inquire various information about the products. The information of traceability has openness and transparency, data immutability and traceability, so that consumers and food regulatory authorities can know all the information of milk powder from production to sales, and it is convenient to manage and monitor the whole process from production to sales, so that users can consume with confidence.

Towards a Standardized Approach for the Geographical Traceability of Plant Foods Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

This paper presents a systematic literature review focused on the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) combined with PCA, a multivariate technique, for determining the geographical origin of plant foods. Recent studies selected and applied the ICP-MS analytical method and PCA in plant food geographical traceability. The collected results from many previous studies indicate that ICP-MS with PCA is a useful tool and is widely used for authenticating and certifying the geographic origin of plant food. The review encourages scientists and managers to discuss the possibility of introducing an international standard for plant food traceability using ICP-MS combined with PCA. The use of a standard method will reduce the time and cost of analysis and improve the efficiency of trade and circulation of goods. Furthermore, the main steps needed to establish the standard for this traceability method are reported, including the development of guidelines and quality control measures, which play a pivotal role in providing authentic product information through each stage of production, processing, and distribution for consumers and authority agencies. This might be the basis for establishing the standards for examination and controlling the quality of foods in the markets, ensuring safety for consumers.

Food Traceability in Agriculture Value Chain: Evidence from Pakistani Mango Growers

Several incidents, including food adulteration, misinterpretation of food characteristics, and, most recently, the spread of the Covid-19 disease, have stunned consumer confidence and bolstered the need for creating traceability in the Food Supply Chain. This study aims to assess the knowledge level of mango growers food traceability and assess factors influencing their intention toward a scientific traceable value chain in Multan, Pakistan. The study also examines the perceived challenges in implementing a traceable value chain in the mango industry. However, 40 mango growers were purposively selected. Data were collected through interview schedules using structured and unstructured questionnaires. The empirical results show that respondents had a low level of knowledge regarding the mango traceable value chain. Also, the results from multiple regression analysis revealed that knowledge and attitude have a statistically significant positive impact on growers' intention toward the mango traceable value chain. However, the study highlighted a lack of awareness, skills, and resources as challenges preventing growers from implementing a scientifically traceable mango value chain. The findings provide valuable inputs for policymakers to design an effective training program to develop the culture of traceability practices among mango growers and other stakeholders in the industry in Pakistan.

A Novel Blockchain and Internet of Things-Based Food Traceability System for Smart Cities.

Rapid urbanization has recently caused serious problems for cities all around the world. Smart cities have drawn much interest from researchers in the present research paradigm to manage the expanding urban population. Frameworks for smart cities are planned and implemented using platforms based on blockchain and the Internet of Things (BIOT). Smart cities may use the BIoT platform to provide improved transportation, food traceability, and healthcare services. Food safety is one of the sectors where less research has been done than the others. The importance of food safety is now more widely recognized, making it essential to improve the traceability and transparency of the food supply chain. In this paper, a novel BIOT-based layered framework using EOSIO has been proposed for effective food traceability. The proposed system first identifies the suitable traceability units to provide better transparency and traceability and then defines and implements a layered architecture using Ethereum and EOSIO blockchain platforms. The performance of the proposed EOSIO-based model is evaluated using the practicality of the consensus algorithm, block production rate, throughput, and block confirmation time. The proposed traceability system attains a block production rate of 0.5s and a block confirmation time of 1s, which is much lower than the Ethereum-based traceability system. Hence, from the experimental evidence, the superiority of the proposed EOSIO-based food traceability can be observed.

IoT-based food traceability system: Architecture, technologies, applications, and future trends

An effective Food Traceability System (FTS) in a Food Supply Chain (FSC) should adequately provide all necessary information to the consumer(s), meet the requirements of the relevant agencies, and improve food safety as well as consumer confidence. New information and communication technologies are rapidly advancing, especially after the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT). Consequently, new food traceability systems have become mainly based on IoT. Many studies have been conducted on food traceability. They mainly focused on the practical implementation and theoretical concepts. Accordingly, various definitions, technologies, and principles have been proposed. The “traceability” concept has been defined in several ways and each new definition has tried to generalize its previous ones. Nevertheless, no standard definition has been reached. Furthermore, the architecture of IoT-based food traceability systems has not yet been standardized. Similarly, used technologies in this field have not been yet well classified. This article presents an analysis of the existing definitions of food traceability, and thus proposes a new one that aims to be simpler, general, and encompassing than the previous ones. We also propose, through this article, a new architecture for IoT-based food traceability systems as well as a new classification of technologies used in this context. We do not miss discussing the applications of different technologies and future trends in the field of IoT-based food traceability systems. Mainly, an FTS can make use of three types of technologies: Identification and Monitoring Technologies (IMT), Communication Technologies (CT), and Data Management Technologies (DMT). Improving a food traceability system requires the use of the best new technologies. There is a variety of promising technologies today to enhance FTS, such as fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems and distributed ledger technology (DLT).

Logistics 4.0 in the agri-food supply chain with blockchain: a case study

ABSTRACT Blockchain is an emerging technology with the potential to radically transform logistics in the highly complex environment of the agri-food supply chain. The key challenges of the agri-food sector include overcoming the limitations (time, cost and quality) to developing global and efficient transparency and traceability of food, eliminating expensive intermediaries, and ensuring no disruption between suppliers and retailers. This paper describes a practical approach by not only using smart contracts to integrate various stakeholders but also incorporating a Public Participation Geographic Information System platform to ensure traceability of the operations conducted in an agri-food supply chain. As a factor in improving distribution and minimising intermediaries, third-party logistics participation is included in this research. Through a case study, the entities and interactions between processes within a blockchain system based on a smart contract are identified. The findings reveal an innovative blockchain approach to logistics in the agri-food supply chain.

Managing food security using blockchain-enabled traceability system

PurposeFood insecurity is a major concern for developing economies. Operational inadequacies get introduced with unorganized interactions among stakeholders in the food supply chain, affecting social, economic, environmental and operational (SEEO) aspects of a nation. This study analyzes India's largest food safety net program, Public Distribution System (PDS) and develops a perception-based model, mapping the root causes (of food insecurity) with possible solutions. The novelty lies in leveraging blockchain in the implementation of food traceability system.Design/methodology/approachSoft system methodology (SSM) is used to identify and analyze problems in PDS, leveraging the learning and inquiry process. It relies on system thinking and action research to create a defendable and rational model, which helps in proposing recommendations for addressing the problem.FindingsBlockchain-enabled food traceability system increases transparency, thus enabling the fulfillment of basic food necessities for beneficiaries.Practical implicationsThe proposed model enables policymakers to build a profound understanding of existing operational issues and provides insightful recommendations for making informed decisions to deal with the grave issue of food insecurity.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, this research attempts to understand operational inefficiencies during interactions among stakeholders. It proposes a perception-based conceptual model for the final implementation at the ground level. It also reveals significance of three systems: a delivery system, an enabling system empowering delivery system and a criteria system to control and monitor processes. This study thus bridges an important gap in the literature by proposing a blockchain-driven traceability system, under the control of criteria system, through the integration of system-thinking and action-research approach.

An efficient IoT-based perspective view of food traceability supply chain using optimized classifier algorithm

The food industry is composed of a complex network of processing food and supply to the market. Supplying the food product to the market requires logistics with its operations. Nowadays the management of the food supply chain plays a vital role. In the food industry, supplying food with high quality and minimizing cost is required throughout the implementation of supply chain management. The quality of food is an essential thing for tracing the issues in food safety. Due to the increase in demand for quality food products by consumers IoT-based Food Supply Chain Management (FCM) is required for satisfying the consumer's needs. The IoT-based FCM helps the suppliers in the aspects of managing food safety procedures and tackling the issues in food safety, monitoring the lifespan of food on the manufacturing side, analyzing the process of reproduction or farming of raw material, warehousing, transporting the food product, sales in wholesaler etc. The main aim of using IoT is to receive sensor signals for monitoring the proper growth of crops in good quality soil, weather status, and so on. Also, in the transporting of food products, the sensors, and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags transmit the information to the server for monitoring the food safety parameters like temperature level, frozen level, etc. The issues are unsafe, ambiguous, the cost is high, low quality, and inaccurate. To overcome these issues, this paper proposed Internet of Things (IoT) based Food Supply Chain management is implemented. This paper proposes Tree-Augmented Naïve Bayes (TANB) with particle swarm optimization algorithm (TANB-PSO). This proposed work uses IoT which track, trace and manages the operations of food supply chain management. TANB-PSO handles optimized chronological data with IoT. The accuracy rate of three models in the FSCM of our proposed work TANB-PSO produces a higher accuracy rate of 95.02%. TANB got 92.44%, and PSO got 93.68%. The error rate of root mean square error (RMSE) and mean error (MAE) for the proposed work TANB-PSO is 0.017 and 0.031.

Blockchain-Based Secure Traceable Scheme for Food Supply Chain

The typical food traceability system’s data layer is made up of relational databases managed by core businesses, which cannot ensure data security. It is inefficient and requires a lot of upkeep. The food supply chain has numerous actors, making it difficult for consumers to safeguard their rights when purchasing food with quality issues. Due to the numerous organizations involved in the food supply chain, food safety monitoring and traceability have become challenging. The supply chain’s major organizations have control and administrative authority over the data under the current food traceability system, which is overly centralized for traceability information. The safety and dependability of food may be ensured by using the food traceability system to track food information. We can witness a series of detailed insights into food from the manufacturing source to the consumption terminal. A blockchain-based food tracking system is created as a solution to these issues. On the Ethereum platform, the system was created. It was also employed in the blockchain system, in addition to its features of decentralization, tamper-proof, and traceability. To implement the data update service and the food recall function, introduce the Food and Drug Administration node. Consumers have the option to not only enquire about food traceability throughout the manufacturing process but also to file complaints regarding the traceability system’s rights protection.

Agriculture Food Supply Chain Management System based on BlockChain and IOT

In agriculture supply chain management block chain distributed ledger underpinning cryptocurrncies bit coin, represent, new innovative technological approach to realizing system. they provide fault-tolerance, immutability, transparency and full tractability of stored transaction record, as well as coherent Digital representation of physical assets and autonomous transaction execution. Trace-ability is critical in managing food quality and safety. Traditional Internet of Things (IoT) trace-ability systems offer viable solutions for food supply chain quality monitoring and trace-ability. However, majority of IOT solution rely on the centralized server-client paradigm, which makes is difficult for consumers to obtain all transaction information and track the origins of product. Block chain is an innovative technology that has potential to significance improve tracebility performance by providing security and complete transparency. However, the current literature does not fully explore benefit ,challenges and development method block chain based food traceability systems. As result ,the to identify block chain and IOT based solutions for food tracebility.

Achieving UN SDGs in Food Supply Chain Using Blockchain Technology

Food supply chains are highly distributed, collaborative, heterogeneous, diverse, and varied by product, process, and destination. The global food supply chain (FSC) objective is to maintain a good balance between supply and demand and move products from producer to market. However, sustainability of the FSC has become a major concern as limited resources and increasing population pressure threaten its existence. Supply chain management is an important issue for FSC due to information flow throughout the supply chain. Industry-specific characteristics and extensive integration among multiple actors in an entire supply chain exacerbate this situation. The agri-food sector has one of the lowest rates of information technology penetration for innovation. Over the past thirty years, information and communication technology (ICT) has been introduced into the agricultural and food sectors, helping to improve food production and transportation. However, there are various challenges, such as transparency, accountability, food scandal, trust, and inefficient information flow, that the food supply chain is still facing in reaching sustainable goals. The complexity of food supply systems and the opportunities and challenges faced regarding desired sustainability performance need to be examined to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Blockchain is an emerging and disruptive digital technology that can transform governance and sustainability in integrated food supply chains. It provides a transparent, immutable, and traceable ledger that minimizes anomalies and information fraud, making it a potential solution for designing a transparent, traceable food system. Blockchain can potentially improve the sustainability of the food supply chain by providing a transparent traceability system. Food traceability is important for managing the food supply chain and protecting public health. It allows quick and accurate traceability of contaminated food that causes foodborne illness outbreaks, leading to the withdrawal of contaminated food from markets. Blockchain can achieve traceability, provenance tracking, transparency, and reduce environmental impact in the food supply chain. It also helps in achieving sustainable development goals set by the UN. However, there is no scientific research on blockchain’s contribution to achieving these goals in the food supply chain. Therefore, this article presents a systematic literature review and thematic analysis to study the relationship between FSC sustainability, blockchain, and sustainable development goals.

Is There Any Pattern Regarding the Vulnerability of Smart Contracts in the Food Supply Chain to a Stressed Event? A Quantile Connectedness Investigation

Blockchain can support the food supply chain in several aspects. Particularly, food traceability and trading across pre-existing contracts can make the supply chain fast, error-free, and support in detecting potential fraud. A proper algorithm, keeping in mind specific geographic, demographic, and additional essential parameters, would let the automated market maker (AMM) supply ample liquidity to pre-determined orders. AMMs are usually run by a set of sequential algorithms called a ‘smart contract’ (SM). Appropriate use of SM reduces food waste, contamination, extra or no delivery in due course, and, possibly most significantly, increases traceability. However, SM has definite vulnerabilities, making it less adaptable at times. We are investigating whether they are genuinely vulnerable during stressful periods or not. We considered seven SM platforms, namely, Fabric, Ethereum (ETH), Waves, NEM (XEM), Tezos (XTZ), Algorand (ALGO), and Stellar (XLM), as the proxies for food supply-chain-based smart contracts from 29 August 2021 to 5 October 2022. This period coincides with three stressed events: Delta (Covid II), Omicron (Covid III), and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We found strong traces of risk transmission, comovement, and interdependence of SM return among the diversified SMs; however, the SMs focused on the food supply chain ended up as net receivers of shocks at both of the extreme tails. All these SMs share a stronger connection in both positive shocks (bullish) and negative shocks (bearish).

Managing the traceability system for food supply chain performance

PurposeThe objective of this study is to improve the food supply chain performance taking into consideration the fundamental concepts of traceability by combining the current frameworks, its principles, its implications and the emerging technologies.Design/methodology/approachA narrative literature review of already existing empirical research on traceability systems was conducted resulting in 862 relevant papers. Following a step-by-step sampling process, the authors ended up with 46 final samples for the literature review.FindingsThe main findings of this study include the various descriptions of the architecture of traceability systems, the different sources enabling this practice, the common desirable attributes, and the enabling technologies for the deployment and implementation of traceability systems. Moreover, several technological solutions are presented, which are currently available for traceability systems, and finally, opportunities for future research are provided.Practical implicationsIt provides an insight, which could affect the implementation process of traceability in the food supply chain and consequently the effective management of a food traceability system (FTS). Managers will be able to create a traceability system, which meets users' requirements, thus enhancing the value of products and food companies.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the food supply chain and the traceability systems literature by creating a holistic picture of where something has been and where it should go. It is a starting point for each food company to design and manage its traceability system more effectively.

Consumers’ interest and willingness to pay for traceable vegetables- An empirical evidence from Bangladesh

Urban consumers’ concerns have focused attention on whether a food traceability system should be implemented in Bangladesh to minimize the production and distribution of unsafe and poor-quality food products. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 220 consumers in two main cities Dhaka and Mymensingh of Bangladesh to examine the traceability system in the vegetable supply chain from an ex-ante perspective. The objective is to identify the preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for the traceability attributes and examine the factors influencing their WTP for traceable vegetables. The results show that over 90% of the consumers put their emphasis on traceability attributes associated with: pesticides and last date of spraying information, fertilizer information, and harvest date. On the other hand, over 85% of consumers showed interest in GM information of vegetables. The mean WTP is found to be 5.84 Tk. (US$0.068) and 5.90 Tk. (US$0.069) per kg respectively for brinjal and tomatoes. This reflects a 19.5% and 19.7% additional monetary payment over and above the purchase price for conventional brinjal and tomatoes respectively. The empirical findings indicate that income and quality perception scores have positive and significant effects on consumer WTP for traceable brinjal and tomatoes.

Evaluating Traceability Technology Adoption in Food Supply Chain: A Game Theoretic Approach

Food traceability in the supply chain is becoming increasingly important because of concerns such as fraud, adulteration, consumer requirements, and food loss. This study highlights the importance of food traceability in reducing food loss through the proper monitoring of food at every stage of the supply chain. The actions of individual players in a food supply chain affect its traceability. Moreover, the decisions made by one player influence the decisions of the other players. Thus, traceability becomes more complex as the number of players increases. Owing to the complex nature of a food chain, it is important to analyze all the possible strategies that stakeholders consider and understand the influence of those possible strategies on the traceability of a food supply chain. In this study, we deploy a game theory model to analyze the strategic combinations of all possible actions of different stakeholders to understand the complexities present in a food supply chain, as well as how these strategic combinations help in decision-making for the adoption of traceability in a food supply chain. Furthermore, we analyze the factors that may increase or decrease the probability of adopting traceability in a food supply chain.

Environmental and Economical Impact of Blockchain

Traditional food supply chains are centralised and have problems with variable product quality, missing data, and irregular product production. As seen by the countless cases of food fraud and adulteration that are reported on a daily basis from various parts of India, an improved decentralised supply chain model is urgently needed. India is a developing nation whose demographic dividend is its greatest advantage; it cannot afford to eat contaminated dairy products. We suggest a blockchain-enabled dairy supply chain platform for the sector as a result of this predicament. Blockchain is a technology that is starting to be widely employed in a variety of commercial areas. Traditional supply chains can be turned into decentralised, robust, transparent, impermeable networks with the use of blockchain technology. The suggested supply chain platform intends to increase food safety, maintain the nutritional value of dairy products, identify adulteration and contamination in dairy products, and stop the creation of fake dairy products. This platform offers more than just food traceability. The suggested platform for the dairy supply chain integrates smart contracts, and blockchain technology and has a positive effect on the environment.

Effectiveness of food traceability system: Chinese consumer food purchase intention during the pandemic

Effectiveness of food traceability system: Chinese consumer food purchase intention during the pandemic

Effectiveness of Food Traceability System: Chinese Consumer Food Purchase Intention During the Pandemic

Effectiveness of Food Traceability System: Chinese Consumer Food Purchase Intention During the Pandemic

Blockchain-Enabled Smart Packaging: Enhancing Food Traceability and Consumer Confidence in the Chinese Food Industry

Blockchain-Enabled Smart Packaging: Enhancing Food Traceability and Consumer Confidence in the Chinese Food Industry