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Walmart implements IBM's blockchain for food traceability

The aim is to track food from farm to store in near real time using blockchain's distributed ledger system.
Written by Natalie Gagliordi, Contributor

Walmart is working with IBM to implement blockchain as part of new food safety requirements for its suppliers. By this time next year, Walmart and Sam's Club will ask suppliers of leafy greens like romaine lettuce and spinach to implement food traceability via IBM's blockchain technology focused on the global food supply chain.

The aim is to track food from farm to store in near real time using blockchain's distributed ledger system.

Walmart has worked with IBM since 2016 to apply new levels of traceability based on blockchain technology across the food supply chain. Walmart said the plan now is to extend the technology in order to help reduce the spread of food-borne illnesses by pinpointing issues in the food chain, while at the same time avoiding massive losses for retailers and suppliers during a recall.

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"We're committed to providing our customers with safe, quality foods," said Frank Yiannas, vice president of food safety for Walmart. "Our customers deserve a more transparent supply chain.We felt the one-step-up and one-step-back model of food traceability was outdated for the 21st century. This is a smart, technology-supported move that will greatly benefit our customers and transform the food system, benefitting all stakeholders."

Big Blue has been applying blockchain technology in various supply chain scenarios including shipping, food and banking. Last August, IBM launched its blockchain food supply efforts via a collaboration with Dole, Driscoll's, Golden State Foods, Kroger, McCormick and Company, McLane Company, Nestlé, Tyson Foods, Walmart and Unilever. Walmart, IBM and China's Tsinghua University have piloted blockchain in the food supply chain previously.

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Blockchain is a secure, encrypted database architecture that logs and links all transactions on a tamper-proof ledger distributed among multiple parties. In effect, a blockchain creates an immutable golden record of time-stamped transactions related to any product that can be bought and sold. In the supply chain, blockchain is used as a means to increase transparency, add visibility and improve supply chain economics.

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