Models and technologies for the enhancement of transparency and visibility in food supply chains

With the increased pressure and challenges of economic, environmental, and social character, the need for innovations (including both the generation and adoption of innovations) that can be implemented in supply chains increases. A number of novel concepts focusing on intelligent logistics and packaging systems are being developed and tested in the food industry, all over the world. Several of these concepts predict quality and product safety of foods for use along the food supply chain (FSC) by the food industry, distributors, and retailers, as well as consumers. In this chapter, the focus is set on models and technologies related to increased transparency and visibility in FSCs for the purpose of lowering food waste, increasing food safety, and increasing overall resource efficiency. An overview of models and concepts for transparency with specific emphasis on food monitoring systems and technologies is presented, together with an in-depth field study of an industry case. The field study covers a whole supply chain in which all actors were provided with real-time data on time and temperature of a product from production until consumption. It is concluded that the use of new technologies holds great potential and huge value in collecting and sharing quality data. However, the main challenges are found in the business relationships where the risks and willingness to share information, i.e., of being more transparent, are the major hurdles in the development of sustainable food supply chains.