Security in Food Production and Logistics with Distributed Ledger Technology - NutriSafe


Prof. Dr. Hanno Friedrich (Kühne Logistics University - KLU)

Funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Brief description

The greater scope of NutriSafe (funded by the German Federal Ministry for Research and Education) is to ensure the security of food production and logistics via "Distributed Ledger Technology" (DLT). This sub project uses exemplarily work out of the Hamburg Region. It aims to analyze the resiliency of the food supply chain and explore the potential of increasing transprency in regional food supply with the implementation of DLT into practice. This is further examined through knowledge transfer via consumer experiments.

Project purpose

Fruits, grains, fish, meat, vegetables and dairy products are regularly transported around the globe in a complex system of industrialized logistics. There is little transparency in production and processing or traceability in the supply chain, posing challenges for food safety, food quality and supply chain integrity. Preparing for the reality of scenarios ranging from complete disruptions in the supply chain to heat waves or food-borne outbreaks requires a sound understanding of the current situation to provide decision-making support for increased food security.

As part of the greater scope of the project - securing food production and logistics with Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) - this sub project can be seen in two parts: (1) defining the current situation of the German food supply on a macro and micro level; (2) fostering the implementation of DLT through knowledge creation. This sub project focuses on the city-state of Hamburg in Germany, which is ideally suited to investigate the effects of a food supply bottleneck on both food security and production and logistics. Through a resiliency analysis of the Hamburg food supply, the impact of disruptions or emergencies in food distribution is illustrated. Simultaneously, while conducting the resiliency analysis, we identify main actors in the Hamburg food supply, to be further used in the implementation of distributed ledger technology (DLT) into practice.

To understand the impacts of integrating DLT into the food supply system in Hamburg, we conduct a series of consumer experiments to analyze the effects of increased transparency (as a result of DLT). Concurrently, we work closely with the practice partners in the context of DLT. Key elements, obstacles and hurdles for the implementation of the DLT in the business models  are identified. The results of the consumer experiments are also used to generate valuable insights for the practice partners.

Subjects

Digital Transformation, Environment, Food Logistics, Sustainability

Project partners

Bundeswehr University Munich, University of Bremen (IGMR), OTARIS Interactive Services GmbH, SBCF & Cie., Diebold Nixdorf AG, Giesecke + Devrient Mobile Security GmbH

Project Team

Sarah Joseph, PhD (Kühne Logistics University GmbH)

Project Web links

Contact person

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Sarah Joseph, PhD

Post-doctoral Researcher