Made in Italy, served up in Scotland: How blockchain tech is protecting food, fashion and furniture provenance
But how do consumers know what’s the real deal and worth investing in, and how can they avoid being duped by shoddy replicas?
In the UK we’ve come to trust the Lion mark on eggs, tracking it right back to the farm, while the Red Tractor farm logo gives an assurance of high quality. Now, the Italian Trade Agency is going one further with its Made in Italy QR code system called TrackIT, which merges the latest in blockchain tracking technology to top quality produce. Retailers know their stock is every bit as good as they claim, and buyers can trust and enjoy a taste of Italy.
They’ve incorporated the system into food exports, so that restaurants and homes can enjoy food and drink with big tastes and a healthy provenance chain. But it also covers a whole range of Italian excellence, from country’s leading furniture, fashion cosmetics and spirits sectors and has been showcased at numerous prestigious trade shows including Who’s Next in Paris, a major fashion trade show, Foodex Japan (Tokyo) and Sana (Bologna): , International exhibition of organic and natural products.
What does it do?
TrackIT allows the Italian producers to protect their goods at the source, and officially authenticate their produce. This QR code labelling – a staple of modern life – is perhaps particularly important in the food industry. When it comes to the food sector, if for example, you want to be sure your Parmesan comes hails from Parma, the finest leather from Milan, your truffles from Tuscany or your oil from the finest olive groves. The QR code, together with the TrackIT logo in its familiar red white and green flag colours, officially logs that information. This proved to be a hit at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair in London – a hub of inspiration for the artisan food and drink world, where TrackIT had a dedicated exhibition area for the first time abroad.
The system also allows for authentication of titles and claims … such as a food’s organic origins, or that a piece of furniture or designer clothes are authentically Italian.
What does it offer consumers?
If you are buying genuine Italian produce you already care about its provenance. Blockchain technology, which tracks the food from field to factory to shop floor, creates an incredible way of tracking those assurances on quality and sustainability, while offering shoppers a treasure trove of information with a simple scan on their phone.
How do they use it?
Spot the TrackIt label on an item you want to buy? Use your smartphone to scan the QR code and instantly learn its history and source, right down to the raw products on day one.
A spokesman for TrackIt said: “Consumers are more concerned about social and environmental problems but they do not necessarily know which products are more sustainable. Therefore, how communication takes place is important and blockchain technology ensures the security of information exchange and provides confidence to consumers.
“TrackIT offers a great solution to enhance the perception of quality and sustainability of Made in Italy products and help consumers make a more conscious choice.”
The system also allows for environmental info to be included, so that packaging can be recycled properly too, making it an all-round win for consumers with an ethical stance.
Want to find out more about Made in Italy products, and to recognise the TrackIT code on what you browse and buy? Find out more at trackit.ice.it.
Contini George St will be hosting a cicchetti style menu between 5-6:30pm between the 23-27 of September to showcase the salumi.