Blockchain technology for tracking tomatoes

Generally associated with cryptocurrencies, blockchain is now being used for tracing tomatoes. Beginning in August, the fruit’s ripeness, colour and sugar content were tracked every step of the way to reduce spoilage and document the supply chain.
The biggest player in this area is International Business Machines Corp., which partnered with food giants like Dole Food Co., Nestle SA, Unilever NV and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. this summer on a pilot to add blockchain to their businesses. IBM says its technology can show where produce came from in seconds. Traditional methods can take up to a week.
An easy-to-use database is key to managing a complex supply chain, which is why some sceptics suggest that blockchain is an unnecessary complication. However, besides ensuring quality, a sensor used in combination with a blockchain tracking system can also prove the origin of an agricultural product. For instance, if you wanted to know if the onions you’re sautéing are really from Vidalia, a blockchain could prove a product’s authenticity.