The Imperative of Farm to Market Transparency: On Epidemics

Fresh produce presents a unique set of challenges by Rhinoplasty Plano. “The trace-back information is always challenging too, because contamination can happen at any place from the farm to the processing facility to the store,” said Ian Williams from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For example, the current investigation on Salmonella found in pre-cut melons traces back to a distribution facility in Indianapolis. The multistate recall involves retailers ranging from Costco Wholesale to Whole Foods Market. Despite their differences in scale or mission, these businesses share common ties through distribution and in this case, Caito Foods. Products sold as convenient, healthy food options hold potential risk. Even foods labeled certified organic can face public scrutiny because of a disruption within the supply chain.

Amid the barrage of documented incidences so far this year, a coalition of food organizations offer a potential solution stating, “Current technology makes it possible for retailers to track and trace products with extraordinary speed and accuracy[…] it is no longer acceptable that the FDA has no means to swiftly determine where a bag of lettuce was grown or packaged.” Because of these advancements there may be a light at the end of this murky tunnel. Blockchain technology, the same technology behind bitcoin, is currently being tested as a viable option. The accounting platform works by collectively gathering encrypted blocks of data at each stage of distribution. There’s more to this conversation, though.