Enhancing Traceability in the Halal Market
In today's interconnected world, the journey of food from farm to table has evolved into a complex process, marked by increasing demands for transparency from consumers. The food industry, under mounting pressure, is compelled to adopt innovative solutions. At the heart of this transformation lies the critical necessity for traceability – not just to ensure food integrity but also to foster a responsible and sustainable food supply chain.
The Halal food sector stands out as a prime example, facing significant challenges due to fraudulent practices. Instances of mislabeling and contamination have emerged, posing serious concerns for consumers seeking authenticity. The need to reinforce trust within the Halal market is evident, and this requires a concerted effort toward enhancing digital identities, data integrity, and transparency.
At iov42, we recognized this need and embarked on a collaboration with Prime Certification Services (UK) Limited to address traceability issues within the Halal market. Our project, backed by Blockchain Connected and supported by the Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government, aimed to create a platform ensuring improved verification and accountability.
Leveraging our experience in developing traceability solutions, particularly within the timber industry, we tailored our expertise to suit the intricate demands of the Halal market. The certification process for meat, while complex, needed a seamless and user-friendly system. Therefore, we prioritized simplicity, designing intuitive interfaces tailored for small businesses to easily record data using their mobile devices.
🔍 However, the unique challenges of certifying meat as Halal required a multifaceted approach. While DNA testing helps detect pork in other meats, proving that meat is genuinely Halal involves factors beyond genetic testing. It necessitates verifying the slaughter and animal conditions, emphasizing the need to capture the identity of the slaughterer and link their certification within the system.
Digitalizing documentation and implementing QR code scanning for delivery documentation have also emerged as effective strategies. Recent legal advancements in the UK regarding electronic trade documents further support this digital transition, enabling a smoother verification process along the supply chain.
The global nature of trade poses additional complexities, especially in confirming the Halal status of meat as it traverses various countries. This challenge can be met by employing trusted identities and maintaining immutable records of the meat's journey, thereby combating potential corruption in the supply chain.
Following the successful completion of our Blockchain Connected-funded project in collaboration with Prime UK, our Technical Director, Akbar Ali Chaudhry, highlighted the platform's blockchain-based authenticity, streamlined certification process, and transparent traceability. This initiative showcases the power of collaboration, enhancing market accessibility for Halal businesses while promoting trade.
📈 As we continue to enhance the Halal traceability solution, we remain committed to exploring similar traceability solutions in diverse industries.
Are you aware of a supply chain or industry in need of enhanced traceability? We'd love to connect and discuss how our expertise can address those needs. Feel free to reach out to us.
Let's build a more transparent and trustworthy future for industries worldwide. 🌍✨