The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

From farm to fork, transparency is no longer a luxury – it is a consumer expectation. Andrew Dalziel, vice president at Infor, highlights how technologies like ERP, blockchain and IoT are reshaping traceability in food. With digital solutions enabling real-time tracking and deeper trust, food businesses are now equipped to meet rising demands for safety, ethics and quality.

Just a few generations ago, the path of food was simple and clear – straight from local farms to your plate. Today, the journey is far more complex, involving multiple intermediaries and numerous stakeholders such as farmers, ingredient suppliers, processors, distributors and retailers.

This heightened complexity has created a critical need for more effective transparency to properly manage and monitor every step of the supply chain. With growing trends in health and ethical sourcing, modern consumers want to be more informed than ever about their food. In fact, 70% of UK adults care about the origins of their food, how it is produced, its environmental impact and its health benefits.

This focus on food transparency is not without reason. In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates there are around 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness every year. As such, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the traceability market for IT solutions within the food industry, including barcoding, biometrics and blockchain is growing, and is expected to reach $40 billion by 2030. 

So, what does the food industry need to know about the rising demand for transparency and how can they stay ahead of the curve?

Minding the gap between traceability and digital platforms

Feeding the world while addressing consumer demands puts food manufacturers in a tricky position. The stakes are high, with both consumer health and brand reputation at risk. One way to handle these challenges is by using digital platforms. These tools help businesses use existing data to make informed decisions, boosting customer confidence and trust.

Advanced technologies like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and blockchain are at the forefront of this shift. ERP systems streamline business processes. When paired with data fabric, they connect and update information across the entire supply chain making it easier to manage everything efficiently. This consolidation offers insights into aspects like product characteristics, inventory levels and distribution channels in real-time.

Meanwhile, blockchain tech is primarily used for creating secure, transparent and permanent records of information on source of origin, ingredient attributes, quality tests and movement of materials through the extended supply chain. This means that food businesses can quickly trace the source of any contamination, recall affected products efficiently and comply with stringent regulatory requirements.

Further down the supply chain, QR codes are allowing consumers to gain instant access to comprehensive details on a product, including ingredients, additives, allergens, nutritional information, source of origin, environmental, animal welfare and manufacturing information. Unlike traditional packaging, QR codes also facilitate a direct line of communication between businesses and consumers – for example, in the form of customer support and feedback forms. This direct engagement enables companies to address queries quickly and build an even stronger connection with their audience.

Best practices in food traceability, such as these, are essential for building and maintaining consumer trust across the supply chain. Especially in today’s competitive market, where brand loyalty is key, businesses must provide detailed information about where their products come from and the processing of the product to earn and keep that trust.

Tasteful technology for better traceability

Put simply, effective traceability is what sets food businesses apart. Businesses investing in robust traceability systems position themselves as leaders in transparency, quality and compliance.

Advanced technologies, such as AI, Blockchain and IoT (Internet of Things), are also crucial for effective food traceability. They capture and analyse data to predict any potential issues, monitor real-time conditions and provide immediate alerts helping manufacturers detect and address problems quickly.

For example, sensors and smart tags collect real-time data, from temperature and humidity levels to location tracking. For instance, monitoring temperature in food storage and transportation can help avoid food safety issues by ensuring products are stored at the correct temperature. This is vital as improper storage can lead to food safety concerns and increased energy usage and costs due to overchilling. This data can be continuously fed to AI systems which analyse patterns, predict potential issues and speed up processes. The integration of AI and IoT allows for quicker responses to any disruptions or potential issues, empowering businesses to maintain high standards of traceability and build greater trust with customers.

Automated precision to enhance food safety

Automated traceability systems can incorporate real-time integration, machine learning, blockchain technology and trace engines to further enhance food safety, helping businesses to detect potential issues as early as possible. AI and machine learning can dynamically calculate sell-by dates based on ingredient age and quality data, protecting consumers and giving retailers more shelf days depending on the raw ingredient quality.

These systems offer major improvements over traditional manual processes that many still rely on, which are prone to errors and inefficiencies. For instance, these systems can quickly detect and isolate contamination issues, by sending out instant alerts once a potential contamination issue is detected and isolate the food in minutes, a stark contrast to manual systems which can take up to three days.

The food industry has witnessed a significant shift from local sourcing to a complex global food market where rapid traceability is essential. Using tools like ERP systems and blockchain technology helps track food in real time and ensures transparency.

Furthermore, detailed sourcing of information can be found in the scanning of QR codes making it easier and more convenient for customers to trust your brand. Investing in these robust systems sets organisations apart from competitors ensuring long-term success in the market.