Walmart Canada — the retail giant’s Canadian branch — has rolled out an automated blockchain-based network for freight tracking and payments management, according to a Nov. 14 press release. The new system, which was developed in collaboration with blockchain company DLT Labs, is designed to improve freight and payment processing, enabling users to automatically trace deliveries, verify transactions and handle payments and reconciliation. Integration with each company’s legacy systems The release further states that the network can be integrated with a business’s legacy system and “manages, integrates and synchronizes all the supply chain and logistics data in real time, aggregating …

American logistics giant UPS has successfully delivered a blockchain-verified beef shipment from the United States to Japan. The company partnered with agritech firm HerdX to incorporate its packaging technology into a blockchain network to trace the journey of beef from Kansas to Japan, the firm announced on Nov. 11. As announced by UPS, the jointly-delivered shipment involved a blockchain partner network developed by HerdX. Meanwhile, UPS provided its visibility tool that integrates with HerdX's blockchain technology and records live updates, registering details throughout the journey. U.S. Embassy and Japanese officials checked the blockchain-recorded beef The pilot was supported by the …

Singapore-based blockchain application platform VeChain has unveiled a new blockchain tracking system for the food and beverage industry. In a blog post on Nov. 7, the company confirmed it was working with food certification group DNV GL and supply chain specialist ASI Group on the project, known as Foodgates. VeChain “direct beneficiary” of pro-blockchain stance The original announcement came at this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE), being held from 5-10 Nov. in Shanghai. “The immutability of public blockchain coupled with verifiable information makes this solution really unique,” VeChain COO Kevin Feng commented. VeChain revealed Foodgates had already been put …

Experts allege the biggest hurdle facing the blockchain systems being adopted by food retail giants such as Walmart and Nestlé has nothing to do with the technology itself. In an interview with Tech Wire Asia, published on Nov. 7, Craig Heraghty — Agribusiness Leader at “Big Four” auditor PwC — reflected on the rising trend of blockchain among major retailers globally. He argued that: “The weakest link in the chain is not blockchain or any technology, the weakest link is the piece of sticky tape that puts the label on the package. You have to think like a fraudster and …

Coca Cola’s bottlers are implementing blockchain technology to manage their cross-party transactions. A Business Insider report on Nov. 5 revealed that Coke One North America (CONA) — the tech firm that manages IT operations for the soda giant’s bottlers — is using a blockchain solution developed by German software firm SAP to manage its supply chain. Managing 160,000 orders per day As the report notes, CONA manages a platform to oversee multiple franchises that manufacture, bottle and ship nearly 160,000 orders of Coca-Cola products daily. Andrei Semenov, senior manager at CONA, told Business Insider: "There are a number of transactions …

Topco Associates, the largest American retail food group purchasing organization, will pilot Mastercard’s blockchain tech in its operations. According to a press release on Oct. 27, Topco will test a traceability platform developed by logistics firm Envisible. The Wholechain platform is based on Mastercard’s blockchain-based Provenance Solution. Topco will use the platform to trace the provenance of produce, meat and seafood. Blockchain provides transparency for food supply chains Blockchain technology has found widespread application in the food industry with multiple high-profile companies. Major American retailer Walmart began using blockchain tech to track Indian shrimp supply chains earlier this month. This …

A global technology research firm urges the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to offer clear guidance on blockchain apps to improve food safety. Federal research needed FoodOnline reported on Oct. 21 that Alex Manders, the head of blockchain solutions at Information Services Group (ISG), a Connecticut-based tech research and advisory firm, has urged the FDA to take a closer look at the potential of blockchain technology. Speaking at an FDA public meeting called "A New Era of Smarter Food Safety," Manders argued that the FDA should examine blockchain vendors, solutions and investment options and provide guidance for enterprises …

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding a public meeting to discuss a new initative called “A New Era of Smarter Food Safety.” In an announcement on Sept. 17, the FDA said the consultation with international stakeholders — designed to debate public health challenges and the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act — will take place on Oct. 21. Specifically, the FDA intends to establish “a more digital, traceable, and safer system” to protect consumers from contaminated food. Efficient tracking The initiative proposes to deploy technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and sensors …

The German branch of Burger King has begun accepting Bitcoin (BTC) on its website and mobile app, as reported by Cointelegraph on Sept. 3. But has the initiative increased consumer demand for the company’s fast food, and is it really possible to buy the popular Whopper burger with Bitcoin? What difficulties has the restaurant faced in its three years of cryptocurrency experience? Whoppers for Bitcoins Burger King was one of the first international fast-food chains to accept Bitcoin as a means of payment. For the first time, visitors were reportedly able to buy burgers with crypto back in 2016 when …

Switzerland-headquartered food retail giant Nestlé says it has had to adopt a “start-up mindset” in order to push ahead with its challenging blockchain venture. Insights into the retailer’s blockchain development work were revealed by Nestlé Digital Technology Manager Armin Nehzat in a Sept. 5 interview with TechWire Asia. A long-term journey, not a short-term bet Last month, Nestlé Australia’s “Chain of Origin” initiative to implement blockchain technology for supply chain management was nominated for a digital transformation award by United States-based market intelligence firm, the International Data Corporation. The project aims to enable Nestlé customers to track their products using …

The German arm of global fast-food chain Burger King now accepts Bitcoin (BTC) payments on its delivery website and mobile application. Payment options on the Bklieferservice.de homepage Despite BTC's sudden apperarance on its official website, it is unclear whether Bitcoin is also accepted in the 600 physical Burger King restaurants across Germany. BK embraces crypto again In summer 2017, Burger King Russia announced it will start accepting Bitcoin payments, and then introduced their own virtual currency called Whoppercoin. Also in 2017, BTC started to be accepted by a restaurant in Arnhem, a city in the Netherlands. According to Crunchbase, Burger …

Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain and retailer, Migros, is turning to blockchain to keep tabs on its supply chain for food. Migros announced the implementation of TE-Food’s blockchain-based food traceability system, Aug. 29. Whilst many retailers are incorporating such systems to provide transparent information to customers, Migros is looking to the technology to optimize processes and provide greater value. Optimization through deeper supply chain insight According to the announcement, Migros expects the new initiative to provide more benefits than just offering transparency for customers. Rather, the supermarket expects the new platform to deliver value by enabling easier product recalls and improved …