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Applying blockchain technology to improve agri-food traceability: a review of development methods, benefits and challenges

  • Huanhuan Feng
    ,
  • Xiang Wang
    ,
  • Yanqing Duan
    ,
  • Jian Zhang
    ,
  • Xiaoshuan Zhang
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger

Abstract

Traceability plays a vital role in food quality and safety management. Traditional Internet of Things (IoT) traceability systems provide the feasible solutions for the quality monitoring and traceability of food supply chains. However, most of the IoT solutions rely on the centralized server-client paradigm that makes it difficult for consumers to acquire all transaction information and to track the origins of products. Blockchain is a cutting-edge technology that has great potential for improving traceability performance by providing security and full transparency. However, the benefits, challenges and development methods of blockchain-based food traceability systems are not yet fully explored in the current literature. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to review the blockchain technology characteristics and functionalities, identify blockchain-based solutions for addressing food traceability concerns, highlight the benefits and challenges of blockchain-based traceability systems implementation, and help researchers and practitioners to apply blockchain technology based food traceability systems by proposing an architecture design framework and suitability application analysis flowchart of blockchain based food traceability systems. The results of this study contribute to better understanding and knowledge on how to improve the food traceability by developing and implementing blockchain-based traceability systems. The paper provides valuable information for researchers and practitioners on the use of blockchain-based food traceability management and has a positive effect on the improvement of food sustainability.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 121031

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Cleaner Production (Volume 260)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 09/03/2020
  • Published - 11/03/2020

Publication status

Published - 11/03/2020

ISSN

0959-6526

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/623900
  • Scopus: 85081697078

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