IBM Launches Food Trust: A Revolutionary Blockchain-Based Food Tracking Network

The Birth of Food Trust

In a world where knowing where your food comes from can be as confusing as finding a parking spot at a concert, IBM has stepped up with an innovative solution. Officially launched on October 8, after a rigorous 18 months of testing, IBM’s blockchain-based food tracking network, aptly named Food Trust, promises to make food sourcing as transparent as your favorite reality TV show.

Carrefour Joins the Fray

In a spectacular twist of events, French retail giant Carrefour has decided to join this fascinating blockchain ecosystem. With over 12,000 stores in 33 countries, Carrefour is set to roll out the Food Trust blockchain across its locations, starting with its own stores. By 2022, it’s planning a grand global expansion. Who would have thought tracing romaine lettuce would become a worldwide phenomenon?

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3…

First introduced back in 2016, the Food Trust project has arguably taken longer than most of our attempts to keep a New Year’s resolution. The testing phase kicked off in August 2017, involving a star-studded lineup of partners, including Nestle SA, Dole Food Co., and Tyson Foods Inc. Together, they explored how blockchain could track millions of food products. Why did they do it? Imagine being able to pinpoint exactly where your avocado toast began its journey—no more guessing games!

Walmart’s Green Initiative

Among the early adopters of this technological marvel was Walmart, which in 2016 began using blockchain for quicker recall solutions. Recent news has revealed that they’re pushing their leafy greens suppliers to kick their tracking efforts up a notch with the Farm-to-Store tracking system based on IBM’s Food Trust. Looks like salads are the new superheroes of food safety!

Beyond Food: IBM’s Broader Blockchain Ambitions

While the food industry is receiving a lot of attention, it’s merely one slice of IBM’s blockchain pie. The company shares the top spot with Alibaba for the highest number of blockchain-related patents. Their recent patent for a security-centric blockchain system suggests that IBM isn’t just about tracking food; they’re on a mission to tackle security breaches everywhere. Who knew a tech giant could wear so many hats—or in this case, aprons?