Italian food producer Barilla plans to introduce a QR code on the jars of its Pesto Alla Genovese sauce, to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain.
The QR code, which will feature on jars available in Italy will enable customers to learn about the origin of the product, and trace the entire journey of the basil, from its cultivation phase to the final product.
Scanning a QR code on the label, will lead users to a web app, where they can enter the lot number on the package to reveal further information.
Thanks to the blockchain traceability system, it will be possible to trace the different phases of the production process, immediate access to all the information on the farmers who have grown the basil, the place of cultivation and the date of collection, as well as the date and place of production of that single jar of pesto.
Traceability And Transparency
The project was developed in collaboration with Connecting Food, a platform for food traceability and transparency.
The Barilla blockchain traceability system involves all the players in the basil supply chain – comprising 50 operating units, 19 farms and six suppliers – as well as the Rubbiano plant, in the province of Parma, which Barilla says is the most sustainable sauce production plant in Europe.
The blockchain system is based on distributed ledger technology, which makes it possible to collect and trace all data concerning the raw material supply chain, which cannot be tampered with.
Initially introduced in Italy, the QR code will soon be extended to other countries and to other products, the company added.
