Nestlé and Carrefour are to use IBM’s blockchain technology to track the supply chain of Mousline, a popular brand of instant mashed potato in France.

Both the Swiss consumer goods giant and the French supermarket chain joined IBM’s Food Trust blockchain platform in 2017.

A release issued by Carrefour stated: “Using the quick response (QR) code on the product’s packaging, each consumer will be able to use a secure platform on their smartphone to access information on the production supply chain, including the varieties of potato used, the dates and places of manufacture, information on quality control, and places and dates of storage before the product reaches the shelves.”

The company added that the three-way partnership continued its programme, Act for Food, that works towards the food transition, and its desire to promote blockchain. The companies aim to use the technology to enable greater transparency and, ultimately, a safer food supply and to reduce waste.

Growing shopping trolley

Earlier this year Carrefour began tracking its milk supplies using the IBM platform. Blockchain technology allows the company to track milk shipments and ensure they arrive on schedule and are not spoiled. It also allows for greater ease of payment across borders and within retail outlets, also helping to speed up the process.

With Nestlé joining the initiative on board, over five million products are now tracked using blockchain technology. Supermarket groups in the US have followed Carrefour’s move; the Albertson chain says that it will be using the Food Trust system to start tracking iceberg lettuce supplies and expects to expand its use to include other products.