Mobile-based traceability system for sustainable food supply networks

Traceability is key to ensure food quality and safety from farm to fork, yet high implementation costs and the complexity of the food supply chain pose challenges to its operation. Here we propose a mobile-based bidirectional tracing system for food products that integrates graph data and peer-to-peer architecture. Our system allows data synchronization to happen seamlessly between all connected nodes, as data are gathered through market transactions and all related product information is concatenated by scanning 2D product barcodes. The system’s decentralized and flexible structure favours stakeholder involvement and is applicable to various and dynamic food networks. By promoting resource efficiency and transparency of origin, production and distribution, the system ensures mesh surveillance and sheds light on complex food networks, ultimately contributing to the advancement of food research. Traceability is key to food quality and safety, but its wider implementation is hindered by high costs and technical complexity. A newly proposed mobile-based bidirectional system based on information concatenation through products’ 2D barcodes offers an effective, cheaper and more flexible alternative.