Blockchain revolution in food supply chains: A positive impact on global food loss and waste
Carlos S. H. Shiraishi, Custódio Lobo Roriz, Márcio Carocho, Miguel A. Prieto, Rui M.V. Abreu, Lillian Barros, Sandrina A. Heleno
Abstract
The rising global population has created an urgent need for increased food production. Food loss and waste remain significant challenges throughout the food supply chain, from cultivation to consumption. Blockchain, a decentralized peer-to-peer network that stores information can help making food more traceable, from production to consumption. It can also help enhance food production sustainability, transparency, quality and safety. By tracking all aspects of food it plays a crucial role in reducing food loss and waste. Several organizations that have briefly introduced this technology, along with the Internet of Things, although the real benefit of blockchain is achieved when several players in the food chain adhere to this technology. This review emphasizes how blockchain was adapted to the food chain, its challenges, benefits and limitations, and how some food sectors have used this technology. A brief perspective on how the Internet of Things and Blockchain will evolve in the future. • Sustainable food production can benefit from the traceability of blockchain. • Blockchain can help with food safety and security from farm to fork. • Information contained in the blockchain can be accessed using mobile applications.