Clients can now use blockchain to trace the origin of food through the chain themselves. The solution launched by Bureau Veritas is called Origin, the first traceability label that gives consumers a picture of the full journey food takes from farm to fork.
Consumers can scan a QR code in-store to see the full history of each product and make informed purchasing decisions. Origin, which is based on blockchain technology, means an intelligent and practical method for customers to access information about every link in a product's journey.
Origin also benefits other links in the value chain. For example, manufacturers, processors, trade and retailers are better able to manage their supply chain thanks to the higher transparency and real-time management of recalls.
Greater trust in transactions
Projects are already underway with some of Bureau Veritas' clients and the technology is now ready to be launched on the wider market. Vincent Bourdil, Vice-President of Bureau Veritas' Food division says: "The launch of Origin is the outcome of two years of development efforts by Bureau Veritas to develop blockchain applications that increase trust in transactions. Origin is a solution that benefits all parties - not only consumers, but also retailers, suppliers, processors and manufacturers - as it increases the value of the final product. With Origin, product recalls can be managed in real time, allowing the manufacturer to maintain its good name."
Open and secure for every sector
The application of blockchain in Origin is a technological innovation that solves key challenges that made full food traceability unfeasible until now. The solution was developed in collaboration with Worldline, a company in securing digital transactions. It is the first solution of its kind to use this technology.
Olivier Stuckens, Managing Director of Mobility & e-Transactional Services at Worldline says: "Blockchain offers unique advantages for a product like Origin: it is secure, open, transparent and does not require a regulatory body. Using blockchain technology revolutionises the way transactions are verified, increasing the reliability of information. This means that Origin, although developed with the food industry in mind, can be used for any sector."
Continuous monitoring
Food control programmes in the past typically relied on third-party inspections and sampling at every stage of the food production process. A blockchain-based solution enables continuous and complete control by requiring all stakeholders to share their data and validate all transactions at the point of execution. At the same time, sensitive data remains confidential and a different level of access to the information can be given to each party.
