FDA Working With CBP on Blockchain Traceability Pilot
FDA is working with CBP to conduct a pilot on the use of blockchain and cloud technologies to trace food supply chains “from farm to importation,” said Dawne Hines, director of the FDA Division of Northeast Imports, July 22 during CBP’s Virtual Trade Week. The proof of concept aims to aid “government to government communications,” reduce data duplication and move toward the future elimination of paper, she said.
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Fresh blueberries and avocados will the first foods to be tested under the proof of concept, Hines said. Potential benefits such as pre-import admissibility for trusted traders are being considered. Blockchain data formats will be standardized, “thus aiding traceability,” she said. When FDA has to conduct a trace-back, data could be downloaded from a decentralized database, allowing the agency to achieve “greater efficiency, faster results and cost savings” for FDA and for industry.
FDA has provided CBP contractors developing the blockchain system with key elements for traceability, Hines said. Some of these data elements include lot codes, where the food was received, where the food was sent, dates and key contact information, she said. Data submitted is completely voluntary, and some data may be used only by suppliers or buyers, such as invoice numbers, while others may be used for admissibility. Data elements “are still in development and being considered,” Hines said.