Consumers will soon be able to have more confidence in knowing where their food comes from, with a new online platform sharing verified data about primary sector products.
The platform will be provided by Trust Alliance New Zealand, a primary industries consortium launching on Monday.
The consortium had its beginnings last year when a small group of organisations came together to establish a trusted digital platform sharing data right across the supply chain.
It's hoped the platform will enhance the reputation and competitiveness of the country's primary sector.
Using blockchain technology, the decentralised platform will share verified data proving provenance, authentication, and food safety as well as biosecurity tracking and tracing.
The consortium's chair, Chris Claridge, who is also chief executive of Potatoes New Zealand, says so far there are 22 members in the consortium and it's growing monthly.
"We think there’s a real opportunity to address some of the key issues common across the sector, including data interoperability, productivity, efficiency and compliance. There are benefits to be gained at every point in the value chain: from producers and growers, through processors, distributors and exporters, to suppliers, retailers and right to end consumers," he said.
"Worldwide, consumers are becoming ever more mindful of the ethical and environmental impacts of their purchases. The Trust Alliance aims to enhance the global and domestic competitiveness of New Zealand’s primary sector by providing the assurance people want, underpinned by verifiable, unchangeable data."
The blockchain technology is being provided by TrackBack.
