Blockchain for food traceability is an increasingly important and popular use case.
In this case study I investigated Blood Oranges which are a Sicilian product of excellence. Over 50% of the total national produce comes from the island with over 1.4 million tons produced nationally.
Counterfeits and frauds represent damage to the consumer and is a loss for the producers. In a seizure of counterfeit agri-products, batches of oranges coming from South Africa were being passed off as Sicilian Blood Oranges.
Blockchain for Food Traceability
Italy’s Sicilian Blood Oranges were made traceable using a blockchain solution. The blockchain platform records the origin, characteristics of the fruit and transportation data for easy customs clearance.
Through an NFC tag (Near-field communication) affixed to the fruit crates which allows for monitoring the production field via a system that geolocalizes the map supplied by a public source, the date of harvesting, and the conservation and distribution methods.
The hi-tech tag connected to the blockchain platform guarantees the identification of data, based on information coming from the public administration and from the companies linked to the Consortium, and it ensures the correct link with the certified and immutable history of the product.
The system captures the interactions between the portal used by the Consortium of over 600 stakeholders, monitoring the entire Blood Oranges segment, and a smartphone app used by the consumer, which provides information on the entire chain.
Consumers can also track the provenance of the oranges by using a mobile app.
IoT in Action
A unique NFC tag attached to each crate enables the secure retrieval of the entire chain of custody of the Blood Oranges through the blockchain platform.
The use of NFC and RFID technologies also helps people to become well-informed and knowledgeable consumers. With the use of intelligent tags, everyone can know the history (provenance) of the oranges and the characteristics that make them unique in the market.
About Marcus Xavier
I am a freelance blogger and course developer. I help blockchain start ups
and enthusiasts learn how to apply blockchain technologies and create real
value for their users. Visit my website here: https://marcus-xavier.io