Singapore Food Agency adopts veriTAG’s blockchain food tracking system

Singapore Food Agency has joined forces with Cloud-based smart tagging firm veriTAG and ST Engineering to develop a blockchain-based food tracking system.

The partnership began development last year and aims to correct the critical problem areas in the Singapore food supply chain.

veriTAG founder and CEO Jason Lim said: “Food safety and security is not a farming problem or a manufacturing problem — it’s a problem that affects everyone.

“We are pleased to be partnering with veriTAG, the Singapore Food Agency and ST Engineering to provide a tangible, creative solution to a critical issue.”

veriTAG’s food tracking system is based on the NULS blockchain, an open-source and adaptive blockchain technology.

It makes use of TradeTrust’s globally accepted standards and frameworks that support the exchange of electronic trade documents.

NULS core developer Mario Blacutt said: “We’re excited to be playing a role in such an impactful initiative. This partnership showcases that blockchain technology can truly be a conduit for social good and demonstrates the wide range of enterprise use cases.”

Between April and December 2019, SFA quality-tested 3,825 units of fruit and vegetables with 500 failing inspection tests due to high chemical or pesticide residues.

SFA also tested 7,010 meat products during the same period and disapproved 114 as they failed to meet the quality standards.

Singapore is currently importing more than 90% of its food and it is anticipated that the poor quality food products could lead to a breakdown in the supply chain.

Aimed to address food safety crisis in South-East Asia, the new tracking system will be officially launched at the Smart China Expo on 15 September.