SUPPLY CHAIN Blockchain Technology and Food Safety in UK Supply Chain

The literature review section highlights on the blockchain technology, importance of this technology within food industry, about the UK food supply chain, food consumption patterns of UK population, risk and vulnerability associated with this technology within this sector and blockchain technology increasing transparency and traceability of UK food sector. Chapter 1: Introduction 3 1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Background of the study 3 1.3 Significance of the Research 5 1.4 Research Aim 6 1.5 Research Objectives 6 Research Questions 7 Chapter 2: Literature Review 8 2.1 Introduction 8 2.2 Framework 8 2.3

Running head: BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY
CHAIN
Blockchain Technology and Food Safety in UK Supply Chain
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Abstract
The present research study focuses on the importance of blockchain technology and
food safety in supply chain within UK food industry. The first section of study focuses on the
background of the study, research aims and objectives, research questions. The literature
review section highlights on the blockchain technology, importance of this technology within
food industry, about the UK food supply chain, food consumption patterns of UK population,
risk and vulnerability associated with this technology within this sector and blockchain
technology increasing transparency and traceability of UK food sector. The third section
elucidates on the research methodology of this study. The tools adopted for this study is
focused in this section. The whole research is carried out through primary data collection
method. The fourth section focuses on the analysis of data obtained from different sources.
The last section draws conclusion of this study from the data collected from survey processes.

2BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction..............................................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................3
1.2 Background of the study..................................................................................................3
1.3 Significance of the Research............................................................................................5
1.4 Research Aim...................................................................................................................6
1.5 Research Objectives.........................................................................................................6
Research Questions................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Literature Review.....................................................................................................8
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................8
2.2 Conceptual Framework....................................................................................................8
2.3About the Blockchain technology.....................................................................................9
2.4 Importance and use of blockchain technology in food industry for ensuring efficient
supply chain and food safety................................................................................................11
2.5 Food consumption patterns of the UK population.........................................................15
2.6 Food supply chain in UK...............................................................................................16
2.7 Risk and Vulnerability in UK food supply chain...........................................................19
2.8 Blockchain technology enabling transparency and traceability in UK food supply
chains....................................................................................................................................20
2.9 Research Gap.................................................................................................................21
2.10 Summary......................................................................................................................22
References and Bibliography...................................................................................................23

3BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Over the last few decades, the global living standards, way of living, basic sustenance
activities, professional domains and consumption patterns of the population across the globe
have experienced considerable dynamics and modifications, much of which can be attributed
to factors like Globalisation, industrial and agricultural revolution as well as that of
technological and infrastructural innovations in the global scenario. Of these consumption
patterns, one of the primary one of immense importance is that of the patterns of consumption
of food, as much of the health, sustenance and well being of people, in general, depend on
their food consumption patterns and the quality, nature and types of food they usually
consume. In this context, the maintenance of proper safety and quality of food is one of the
most crucial aspects, especially in the contemporary period, where the instances of unsafe
food consumption and its negative aftermath are many, across the globe. Keeping this into
consideration, the concerned research tries to analyse the roles which the technological
developments, especially block chain technology can play in the aspects of food safety and
supply chain, specifically concentrating on the scenario of the food consumption patterns,
food safety, supply chain infrastructure and technological innovations of the United
Kingdom.
1.2 Background of the study
As discussed above, much of the health, safety, life years and level of morbidity as
well as activeness of the individuals, across the globe, depend on the pattern of food
consumption, the nature and types of food consumed and their quality. In the present
scenario, however, a striking shift of preference of the global population, in general, towards
processed and canned foods can be seen, the primary reason behind the same being the fact

4BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
that these types of foods stay edible for long, can be stored conveniently, are money and time
saving and also are easy to prepare, which in turn, suits the new age population who mostly
live a dynamic life with time crunches. Also, in the contemporary period, due to innovations
in the technological and infrastructural aspects, food produced and processed in a region, is
transported to considerably distant places, both domestic as well as international.
These aspects indicate towards the presence or creation of supply chain framework in
the food industry, in the global scenario, inclusive of many processes, methods and
participants, like that of farmers, producers, suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers,
transporters and retailers. The maintenance of proper quality of food and preserving the
safety of the same for consumption are extremely crucial aspects in all the sectors of the
supply chain of food industry and usually, food produced for consumption by population
across the globe, goes through various processes in order to assure that the same reaches to
the final consumers in a healthy and safe consumption. The quality of food not only depends
on the various processes and standards adopted by the manufacturers, but also the quality of
ingredients for preparation and preservation of the foods, quality of transport, storage
facilities and ways of handling the same by different intermediaries till the food reached to
the customers. The responsibility of provision of safe, secured and healthy food of desirable
standard, has to be taken by all the participants in the supply chain, including the farmers or
producers to the transporters and retailers.
In this context, it can be asserted that over the years, the awareness regarding the need
and importance of consumption of safe and healthy food, has increased considerably among
the population across the globe, in general. However, the increase in demand for food and
intensification of competition in the concerned industry, have also led to increase in the
number of instances of food fraud, illegal production, tampering of food and other negative
activities substantially, which in turn, have led to rise in instances of unsafe food

5BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
consumption, foodborne illness and immense dissatisfaction and unrest among the
consumers. This in turn, indicates towards the need for creation of frameworks higher safety
and quality of the food processed and delivered to the population. Different technological
developments, in this context, can be seen to be gaining increasing popularity and relevance,
of which the most notable one is that of the blockchain technology, which is a traceable,
shared and transparent ledger used for record keeping and capturing information of each
transaction in the supply chain framework. This ensures higher efficiency, transparency and
quality in the process as a whole (Aung & Chang, 2014). Keeping this into consideration, the
concerned study, tries to analyse the aspects of food security, safety and supply chain and the
roles which can be played by the blockchain technology, in these aspects, especially in the
food production, delivery and consumption scenarios of the United Kingdom.
1.3 Significance of the Research
In the contemporary period, with the substantial increase in the population, across the
globe in general and in the UK in specific, the demand for food products have been
skyrocketing and with the changing lifestyle and standard of living of population, as a whole,
the consumption patterns of foods have also been changing visibly (as can be seen from the
increasing demand for processed foods. The increasing awareness regarding the food
scandals as well as regarding the need for healthy and safe foods, have also been indicating
towards the importance of development of a robust framework with the help of technologies
and innovations, to ensure safety at each stage of the supply chain of food industry, from the
farmers till the final consumers (Ahram, 2017). In this context, the blockchain technology,
gaining immense positive responses and popularity in different industrial sectors, appears to
be one of the most relevant and required one for ensuring safety in the food supply chain.
This, in turn, makes the concerned research relevant and significant as the findings of the
concerned research are expected to shed light on crucial aspects of supply chain development,

6BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
incorporation of higher food safety and quality and advantages as well as loopholes of usage
of blockchain technologies in these aspects, for UK as well as for the entire world, in the
long-run.
1.4 Research Aim
With the instances of compromising of food safety, food frauds, tampering, illegal
production, food recall and impacts of these on the health of the population across the globe
in general and of that of the UK in particular, becoming issues of immense concern. The
concerned research primary aims to study the operational frameworks of food supply chain in
the concerned country, the aspects of food security in the different stages of the supply chain
framework and also tries to analyse the impacts which proper usage and incorporation of
blockchain technology can have in these aspects, for the concerned country (ROMARE,
2017). Based on the findings the research also aims to explore the bottlenecks in these aspects
and suggest relevant and appropriate solutions to mitigate those bottlenecks so as to ensure
higher food security and a more efficient food supply chain framework.
1.5 Research Objectives
The primary objectives of the concerned study are as follows:
 To examine the operational framework of supply chain in food industry in the United
Kingdom, in the contemporary period
 To study the food consumption patterns of the population of the concerned country
 To analyse the need and importance of security and quality of food for the population
of the country
 To examine the impacts of unsafe food consumption and perceptions of the
population regarding the same

7BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
 To analyse the factors causing negative impacts in the aspects of ensuring food safety
in different steps of the supply chain framework
 To explore the relevance, significance and usage of blockchain technology for
ensuring a more efficient supply chain and higher safety in different steps of food
production, storage, delivery, transport and consumption
 To examine the loopholes existing in these aspects and to suggest appropriate
solutions for mitigation of the same
Research Questions
 Does investment in Block chain technology improve traceability of food supply
industry?
 Does Block chain technology contribute to improvement in public confidence in the
food supply industry?
 Does Block chain technology makes business transactions possible without the need
of the current verification?
 Does Block chain technology contribute to an increase in speed of transaction?
 Does Block chain technology enable multiple users to make secure transactions
haven’t been authenticating?
 Does the use of Block chain technology enhance the tracking of food product?
 Does the use of Block chain technology aid in tracking from point of source to the
point of delivery of food products?
 Does Block chain technology provides open and accessible information of food
supply chain?
 Does Block chain technology improve transparency in food supply chain?
 Does Block chain technology lead to increase efficiency in transport within food
supply chain?

8BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
Over the last few years, the world food supply chain network has awakened to huge
possibilities of the blockchain technology as the transformational force. Since globalization
has made food supply chain more complex, this enhances the operating costs of networks
across the economies especially in UK (Yu & Nagurney, 2013). Due to this reason, the food
manufacturers in UK has been integrating blockchain technology for reducing costs of supply
chain and maintaining high quality food standards. This section of the research study reviews
on the literature of blockchain technology and food safety in the supply chain. This segment
of the study focuses on how blockchain technology helps to improve transparency, safety and
quality of food in UK food industry. The operational framework of supply chain in UK food
industry and the food consumption patterns of UK population is also highlighted in this
section. Furthermore, the importance of quality and security of food for the people residing in
this country is also discussed in this segment. This section also focuses on the various factors
that causes adverse impact in UK food supply chain. The last section of this chapter also
highlights on how blockchain technology has been enabling transparency in food supply
chain and increases food traceability and control in UK.
2.2 Conceptual Framework

9BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Blockchain
technology within
UK food supply
chain
Trust
Transparency
Traceability
Trade
Track
Transaction
Figure 1: Conceptual Framework
Source: (As created by author)
2.3About the Blockchain technology
Blockchain was first utilized as primary technology for digital cryptocurrency that is
Bitcoin. Bitcoin has brought light to this blockchain technology that offers huge potential for
verification as well as food safety in agrifood industry. This technology can potentially aid to
solve several issues for food control and transparency. Saberi et al. (2018) opines that,
blockchain technology is the way of storing as well as sharing information across the network
of varied users in virtual space (Tieman & Darun, 2017). This technology permits for users to
observe every transactions simultaneously in real- time. Blockchain technology is mainly

10BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
based on the distributer ledger system and has been considered as verification system for the
digital transaction in which data relating to transaction among the network members can be
stored. This technology permits varied levels of access and is outlined in varied forms of
distribution structures such as- decentralized, centralized and distributed. One of the vital
aspect of blockchain technology is that it stores information in the way that make impossible
for change in and add information without being detected by other users. In addition to this,
this blockchain technology assures the authenticity of transaction and also enhance overall
trust as well as transparency when linked to food products. As per Saberi et al. (2018),
blockchain network is one of the characteristics of blockchain. This technology enables
processing of data, which is not centrally located but stored on network of computers across
distributed ledger. Moreover, these computers generally processes transaction as well as store
copy of blockchain. Blockchain usually makes supply chain highly transparent to every level
and empowers whole chain to be highly responsive for any kind of food safety disasters.
Apart from this. This technology has great potential to reorganise business procedure by
framing powerful systems that is trustworthy. Investment in blockchain technology enables
the enterprises to set its food standards that shapes supply chain in future.
In food supply chain, information is connected digitally to the food commodity
through the blockchain technology. This mainly involve – farm orientation details, processing
of data, batch numbers, factory information, storage temperatures, expiration dates and
shipping details. According to Tieman & Darun (2017), blockchain technology has huge
potential to serve as beneficial device for the food sector. The food products change hand
several times across supply chain from raw materials, producers to processing to the
packaging operations. In fact, rising e- commerce market also adds additional layer when
commodities are shipped from retailer to customer. By integrating blockchain technology,
each transaction is recorded in decentralized repository, added costs, human error and

11BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
potential delays. This technology has the potential to disparate different parts of food supply
chain to the input data into shared ledger which reaches two ends of market that is from
manufacturer to consumer. The enterprises also can input information by keeping vital
business competitive data hidden. As the food industry has complex and multi- tiered supply
chains, it is seen as prime industry where the blockchain technology can be used for
authenticating as well as validating products and considerable increase in efficiency of
production as well as supply of goods. Francisco & Swanson (2018) states as food supply
chain management is important for the food industry, the businesses across the globe
including UK has been incorporating this technology for reducing costs as well as improve
compliance.
2.4 Importance and use of blockchain technology in food industry for ensuring efficient
supply chain and food safety
Abeyratne & Monfared (2016) opines that in the food sector, the blockchain
technology serve as a vital foundational technology in digitisation of the food supply chain
information. Abeyratne & Monfared (2016) suggests that the systems that are based on the
blockchain technology could be used for maintaining records on provenance of various food
ingredients, manufacturer specific information involving location of the factory, information
of food production such as production batch codes, inspection of food and its testing and
anticipated shelf- life. The information on these transactions as well as activities along the
food supply chain is maintained on decentralised, online- ledger and tamper –proof. By using
barcoding, QR codes and other form of labelling identifiers, the information is easily attained
at less costs by retailers, food distributors, auditors and other stakeholders with authorized
accessibility to blockchain ledger. Zheng et al. (2016) has found out that, application of the
blockchain technology to food supply chain provides numerous benefits to the food
manufacturers and consumers. For instance, higher transparency relating to source as well as

12BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
manufacture of food products can be a vital tool in decreasing food fraud incidence across the
globe. This technology also aids to reduce safety risks at which the consumers are mainly
exposed via consumption of certain fraudulent food commodities. Furthermore, blockchain
technology based supply chain ledgers also helps to identify as well as locate food lots that is
subject to product recalls, thereby aiding to remove unsafe foods from the store shelves.
Abeyratne & Monfared (2016) cites that blockchain technology aids to transform food
industry in UK and other nations. The blockchain- based supply chain might outcome in
food, which is safe as well as traceable while decreasing waste and providing economic
benefits for every stakeholders in food supply chain. In any situation of altering food
products within supply chain, this technology can recognize as well as notify the
manufacturer before the products reaches retailers. It supports the retailers by helping them
identify the altered food products that might reach the shelves. Moreover, importance of this
technology also lies in the fact that it reduces batch recall practice that are costly for that item
manufacturer.
Blockchain technology benefits the food industry in numerous ways, which are
described below-
 Improve traceability- Beske, Land & Seuring, (2014) cites that traceability within
food industry relates to tracking of food products through all manufacturing,
processing and distribution stage. It motivates collaborations and also provides
opportunity for enterprises to operate in sustainable way. Bosona & Gebresenbet
(2013) suggests for holding down costs and optimize food supply chain, it is vital to
attain proper traceability practice. It has been evident from few studies that
blockchain technology helps to provide support for data accessibility to the supply
chain members. In addition to this, it also aids the managers in food supply chain to

13BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
detect risk of food safety and enhance communication as well as information sharing
in food supply chain.
 Increases transparency- Mol (2015) states that, transparency has become vital as
stakeholders awareness in food industry has increased that has direct effect on
customers trust and enterprises sustainability performance. Tian (2017) has found out
that traceability and transparency are directly related to each other. This means that
traceability is considered as vertical dimension of transparency in food supply chain.
Moreover, traceability enables the producer to follow the procedure a product
undergoes, which in turn leads to higher transparency. Transparency in food supply
chain is enabled by application of product quality and its safety standards,
mechanisms of supply chain governance and information exchange. The researches
have pointed out that integration of blockchain technology enables information
management and visibility across food supply chain (Storøy, Thakur & Olsen, 2013).
In fact, all transactions for a food item can be validated at any given time. Overall,
this technology increases the efficiency level of food supply chain processes.
 Ensure food safety- Recent evidences reflect that numerous scandals for perishable
food commodities, recalling of food commodities have become a vital challenge while
dealing with safety. Several researches have pointed out that food scandals indirectly
forced the suppliers to incorporate costly assurance systems for ensuring safe food as
well as meet market demands (Ahram et al., 2017). It also permits tracing of certain
food products at any time that would aid to reduce wastage of food. This technology
however increases transparency level of the food products. For instance, one of the
food entity in UK has saved lives of numerous people during outbreak of disease by
utilizing blockchain technologies.

14BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
 Increases consumer awareness- As per Casado-Vara (2018), enterprises operating
within food sector requires to inform regarding food procurement procedure, quality,
safety and production methods in extended way. The immediacy as well as reliability
of data harnessed by this blockchain technology is used for demonstrating
authenticity as build confidence within consumers. However, this technology knows
how the food product is sustainable or locally sourced. Thus, blockchain technology
becomes important in brand development and preservation in the competitive market.
 Boosting transparency as well as trust- Although a vital benefit of this technology
is its depiction of data and its added security. Tian (2017) has pointed out that the
blockchain technology enables enterprises in doing business with each other for
recording transactions indelibly. The strength of this technology lies in its
trustworthiness since it becomes impossible for reversing the recorded data. Tse et al
(2017) argues that, blockchain technology is better than traditional database storage
since it holds more documents as well as data and also allows for detailed analysis.
The businesses adopting blockchain technology gets assured that its data are safe and
thus builds trust with customers. Furthermore, this technology helps to provide larger
visibility into complex steps within supply chain process. This in turn enhances ability
of brands to meet customers demand regarding more information about the products
or meeting government regulations. Authenticating the product across supply chain
shows its history, which in turn aid to substantiate commodity claims and builds trust.
 Increases efficiency in supply chain- Blockchain technology offers benefits in the
food supply chain by increasing its efficiency. Casado-Vara et al. (2018) has found
out that, digital tracking removes the requirement for error- prone as well as
inefficient analogue tracking systems. A verified as well as centralised recording
system could do away with the painstaking auditing as well as record- keeping. This

15BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
in turn reduces costs, checks time and saves manual input. Kirwan & Maye (2013)
cites that, enhanced visibility throughout food supply process also aids to provide an
overview of entrenched and inefficiencies. This technology however provides remedy
to these inefficiencies, which in turn decreases product waste as well as save money.
However, this blockchain technology traces from the batch expiration date to the time
spent in every location gives new insight and other associated benefits.
 Preventing food fraud- The present practices within the food industry are open to
human error. The third parties audits compliance data and stores in centralized
database. These databases are vulnerable to higher operating costs, intentional errors
and informational inaccuracies. As blockchain technology operates independently,
errors within the food supply chain can be traceable. It also provides the method with
which all records are stored permanently. In addition to this, this technology
facilitates sharing of data between disparate actors in food value chain. Thus,
integration of blockchain technology helps to prevent fraudulent activities within food
supply chain.
2.5 Food consumption patterns of the UK population
Recent evidences reflect that there has been significant rise in consumption of
organic, functional and genetically modified foods within the UK population. The varying
consumption patterns in UK puts pressure on the global food security since rapid growth in
middle class consumers leads to rise in demand for nutrition transition. Few researches have
pointed out that near around 80% of UK citizens are mainly concerned about safety of food
products and around two- third are concerned about food quality. Göbel et al. (2015) has
found out that, concerns regarding food safety are generally higher in UK as compared to
other nations. Even some of the people residing in UK also feel that food is much safer than
five years ago. Food practices in UK are embedded in people’s domestic routines so that they

16BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
becomes resistant to change. The UK commission report has pointed out that the current food
system has been dysfunctional due to rising disconnection between the actors who are
involved in food supply chain. On the other hand, few evidences in UK foods industry shows
that huge growth in consumption of the convenience food has led to rise in concerns
regarding public health. This is because the convenience industry is highly diverse with wide
range of frozen foods. Raak et al. (2017) argues that, UK consumers mostly combines fresh
ingredients for attaining some benefits in their health. Despite UK government claim that the
food consumed by the UK population is the safest than other nations, the consumer’s
confidence has been undermined by farming crisis, food scare and other food borne diseases.
The food businesses in UK have been making campaigns for improving quality and safety of
food. In fact, the government policies for this nation’s food industry has been motivating the
consumers in making informed choices on the basis of better understanding of implications of
their food dietary decision. Oglethorpe & Heron (2013) opines that the confidence of UK
people in this food supply chain specially at cheaper market end has changed over the years.
The regulators faces huge pressure to adopt stringent quality controls and thus traceability
helps to increase significance for food retailers and producers in UK. Moreover, given
present concerns about rising food insecurity among the nations, there has been rising
pressure to reduce food waste. It has been estimated by the UK government that UK
households throw away near around 8.3 million tonnes of food every year, out of which 65%
is avoidable. For this reasons, the government of UK has integrated few policies in food
industry so that the food enterprises seek in changing public attitudes via campaigns.
Moreover, as there has been around 1 million foodborne illness cases in UK every year, the
food business are integrating new technologies especially the blockchain technology for
improving the food supply chain and reducing food waste (Göbel et al., 2015) .
2.6 Food supply chain in UK

17BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Several researches have pointed out that the UK food supply chain focuses on
providing safe, secure and affordable supply of food for this nation. The food supply chain in
UK has been highly diverse that supports more than one out of ten jobs and contributes to
around 112 billion pounds to the UK economy. Göbel et al., (2015) has found out that the UK
food supply chain stretches from farmers who manufactures raw ingredients through
businesses that supply inputs as well as advice to this industry that buys their products and
produce, processes and sell to other businesses to customers. The highly integrated food
supply chain in UK mainly rely on free flow of products between UK and other European
Union member states. Kaipia, Dukovska-Popovska & Loikkanen, (2013) states that the UK
food supply industry has collaborated together for establishing the objectives that UK
government would pursue since it negotiates this nation’s withdrawal, establishes future
relationship and puts in domestic policies. Kirwan & Maye (2013) cites that the appropriate
trade policy for food supply chain in UK is the one that strikes proper balance between the
consumers, environmental management and productive agricultural industry. The pace of
change within the UK food supply chain systems in operation has been accelerating. It has
been evident from recent studies that from food retailing back to farms, there has been
changes in which innovative ideas have been integrated. Moreover, the food sector in UK has
also integrated new technologies for easing operation within the supply chain.
The food supply chain in UK is retailer- led as numerous supermarket chain act as
main channels for food marketing as well as build alliances with the food producers, develop
as well as market brands that offer economic alternatives to the brands of global producers
(foodtank.com. 2018). It has been evident from recent facts that intense competition as well
as vertical integration has led to rising concentration at every stage of food supply chain in
UK. Francisco & Swanson (2018) points out that there are now lesser and larger enterprises
among food manufacturers, processors and food retailers. Less number of suppliers in UK

18BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
deal with the supermarket retailers that subcontract agricultural manufacturers to manufacture
food based on certain specifications of big supermarket retailers. Moreover, the food industry
in UK is mainly concerned with the sustainability effect of its business operations.
According to Yu & Nagurney, (2013), the operational framework of supply chain in
food industry depict various activities that includes from manufacture, distribution and
consumption in order to keep safety as well as quality of food under efficient mode. Few
complexities occurs in case of perishable foods where it’s traversal time via food supply
chain and utilization of warehouse against demand as well as transportation variability are
limited. In UK food sector, the resources such as transport, warehouse facilities and laborers
within this food supply chain is used efficiently in order to assure quality as well as safety of
food via effective efforts including optimization decisions (Reisch, Eberle & Lorek, 2013).
Furthermore, various information technologies including blockchain technology has also led
to huge improvements in food supply chain with respect to automatic food processing such as
cleansing, packaging and freshness in storage. The managers of the food supply chain in UK
food sector has been using ISM – enables framework for supporting risk management in
recognizing as well as interpreting interdependencies among the food supply chain at varied
levels including- third party logistics, first – tier suppliers. Mol (2015) has introduced that,
value chains play vital role in food supply chain for benefitting consumers and
manufacturers. In UK food sector, most businesses use value chain framework for the
strategic alliances between manufacture, processing and distribution of food that attempt to
create value within supply chain. Besides this, food traceability has also been used by food
businesses in UK for tracing the whole process of food production. The supply chain mangers
also designed traceability system for analysing evaluation criteria that is from bar codes,
alphanumeric codes and RFID (radio frequency identification). Presently, coordination within
the food supply chain in UK from manufacture to consumption has helped the supply chain

19BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
managers to ensure safety as well as quality of different foods. Apart from this, collaboration
with other food industries also improved the supply chain operations of UK food industry.
Figure 2: Food supply chain in UK
Source: (Francisco & Swanson, 2018)
2.7 Risk and Vulnerability in UK food supply chain
Leat & Revoredo-Giha (2013) opines that, there are certain risks and vulnerability
within UK food supply chain. The researches have highlighted particular characteristics
exclusive to this food industry that enhances uncertainty of the perishable food, seasonality,
variability in demand for food and variability in food supply due to yield and climatic
unpredictability. The food supply chain in UK have seen rise in uncertainty that is driven by
dominant supply chain strategies of outsourcing, globalisation, reduced inventory, lead-time
reduction and rising integration. Manning & Soon (2016) defines two types of risks in food
supply chain such as- operational and disruption risks. Operational risks relates to risk that is

20BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
connected with uncertainty in coordination of demand and supply of food whereas disruption
based risks relates to event driven by crisis. It has been seen from recent evidences that food
supply chain in UK are frequently faced with different risks relating to supply disruptions and
uncertain conditions of food demand. As a result, the food safety events as well as security
events occurring from either unintentional or intentional events poses huge risks, which are
beyond operational as well as market risks.
As UK food supply chain involves different steps such as- transportation, processing
and storage to consumer at retail. Leat & Revoredo-Giha (2013) has found out that at every
stage of food supply chain, there is risk of theft, tampering and diversion. Whilst food fraud
is general and has huge effect when it is executed early within supply chain, the whole chain
becomes exposed to risk. For instance, as food product is processed through supply chain, it
attains value and thus becomes highly exposed to risk of malicious tampering and theft. Few
evidences highlight that malicious tampering of food products is general within UK food
manufacturers, which in turn influences the food supply chain processes. In addition to this,
the supply chain within UK food industry faces risk of theft as the commodities attains value
along its supply chain. Manning & Soon (2016) opines that when assessing vulnerabilities
within food supply chain, it is vital to take into account effect of extreme temperatures on
food products. The temperature control within the food supply chain is maintained during
processing, production, storage and distribution. Few cases in UK food industry reflect that,
there has been breach of temperature control within the supply chain (Aung & Chang, 2013).
This in turn resulted in quality impaired food products. Overall, these factors affect food
safety aspects of the UK supply chain framework (Galvez, Mejuto & Simal-Gandara 2018).
2.8 Blockchain technology enabling transparency and traceability in UK food supply
chains

21BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
Blockchain technology has been current digital tool that every food business across
the nations are integrating for improving their supply chain operations. The implication of
this blockchain technology to UK food supply chain has been significant within fast- moving
nature of food and its direct effect on people’s health (foodtank.com. 2018). Adoption of this
technology within UK food supply chain helps them to address fraud, illegal manufacture and
decrease foodborne illness as well as losses owing to recall of product. Besides food safety,
implementation of this technology aids to increase provenance as well as transparency.
Moreover, this technology also enables visibility and data management across entire supply
chain. Nevertheless, magnitude of information that is generated via blockchain technology is
utilized via predictive analytics to create strategies for further optimizing supply chain in
future and closing existing gaps. Aung & Chang (2014) states that, blockchain technology
enables to provide end- to end transparency within the global food system. All the
participants within the supply chain operations in UK food industry have the ability to access
trusted data relating to source as well as state of food for every transactions. Even adoption of
blockchain technology within UK food supply chain also aids these participants to share
information easily across the trusted network (Levy & Lemeshow, 2013). Besides enabling
food product safety, transparency within UK food supply chain aid in optimization of supply
chain that results in efficiency as well as costs savings. Furthermore, securing digital records
also gives provenance to UK supply chain managers, which in turn helps to build customer
trust as well as brand value. Recent facts highlight that most of the food businesses in UK has
collaborated with other IT enterprises for improving their food tracking systems as well as
food transportation across the globe. However, higher transparency within manufacture of
food in UK helps to reduce incidence of food fraud and safety risks to consumers. Besides
this, this technology also increases security to food and thus reduces food fraud within UK
food sector. At same time, the consumers in UK are also reassured that enterprises cannot

22BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
change data in bid to hide origin and product movement through supply chain. Overall, the
adoption of blockchain technology provides benefits to both manufacturers and consumers in
UK.
2.9 Research Gap
In essence, the literature is mainly founded on basis of how enterprises manage
market, operational and technological uncertainties. The supply chains are featured in terms
of product flow and information among enterprises. The majority of research was mainly
concentrated on benefits of blockchain technology but did not involve disadvantages of this
technology. Even though the research has focused on risk and vulnerability associated with
blockchain technology in food supply chain, the gap occurs by not considering challenges
that UK food industry face due to integration of this technology in their supply chain.
2.10 Summary
The above studies shows that blockchain technology helps ti bring about positive
changes in several sectors and businesses especially food sector. In fact, supply chain
management within food industry is one of its useful applications of this technology. It helps
the food manufacturers in UK to ensure about food safety, security and quality. Additionally,
it also facilitates to provide traceability, transparency and provenance of information to the
supply chain participants within the UK food industry. As consumers in UK demand higher
assurance regarding safety and quality of food, this technology gives innovative food
manufacturers and suppliers with vital edge in competitive food market. Thus, this
blockchain technology helps to bring back trust within UK food sector.

23BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SAFETY IN UK SUPPLY CHAIN
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