Nestlé and OpenSC Announce blockchain pilot program for Food Supply Chain Transparency

Nestlé has announced the collaboration with OpenSC for its blockchain platform pilot program in the food industry. The newly introduced blockchain platform will allow consumers to track their food right back to the farm.

The OpenSC platform was founded as a joint initiative between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Australia and the Boston Consulting Group's Digital Ventures division. The primary motive behind the project was to support transparent and sustainable supply chains in the food industry.

Executive Opinion

Magdi Batato, Executive Vice President, Head of Operations, Nestlé S.A. said, "We want our consumers to make an informed decision on their choice of products – to choose products produced responsibly. Open blockchain technology might allow us to share reliable information with consumers in an accessible way."

Global Head of Responsible Sourcing, Nestlé S.A., Benjamin Ware, said, "This open blockchain technology will allow anyone, anywhere in the world to assess our responsible sourcing facts and figures."

Blockchain Pilot program

The announcement noted that Nestlé has become the first major food and beverage company to pilot open blockchain technology. Previously, in 2017, the company piloted blockchain technology with IBM Food Trust. The company also allowed its consumers access to blockchain data through Mousline purée in France.

The aim of the new blockchain platform's pilot program is to understand the scalability of the system. To start with, the blockchain pilot program will help trace milk from farms and producers in New Zealand to Nestlé factories and warehouses in the Middle East. The next test will be with palm oil sourced in the Americas, says the announcement.