Digitalization in the meat chain

Abstract

The meat supply chain should be regularly monitored to ensure the safety of products. Recent developments in Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and blockchain technologies will have a tremendous and disruptive effect on the meat supply chain system in terms of  improving the monitoring and surveillance of hazards at multiple points along the meat chain (pre-harvest, harvest, post-harvest), in the farm-to-retail continuum, as well as providing better quality of information to consumers for informed decisions regarding food purchase. The farm-to-fork food chain continuum should be managed to provide an appropriate level of consumer protection (ALOP). This can be achieved by science-based risk assessment, which includes information about the prevalence and concentration of major public health hazards (epidemiological indicators) of zoonotic origin (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli/STEC) in all modules along the food (meat) chain: farm – transport – slaughterhouse – meat processing – distribution – retail – consumers. The integration of digital technologies to the Food (Meat) Safety Management System or Meat Safety Assurance System will enhance the integration of Food Chain Information and Harmonized Epidemiological Indicators along the meat chain, from farm to retail (bottom-up) and vice versa from retail to farm (top-down). Meat chain digitalization will also increase the transparency and visibility of all actors involved in meat production, processing, distribution and retail (farmers, meat business operators, competent authorities, retailers), and  provide the basis for benchmarking producers and retail chains, as well as pro-active consumer participation in defining future food policies at the national and global level.