For Kroger, one of the largest grocery retailers in the US, food recalls are quite costly because it often must pull unaffected product from the shelves. By implementing a Hyperleger blockchain with industry-specific IBM modules for food traceability, the retailer can work with suppliers to trace food from the farm to its shelves, helping it identify which products to pull, and which are safe for its customers.

“Within the food industry there are a lot of challenges that we’re facing. I would say one of the biggest is traceability...and IBM has built customized modules on top of [the] Blockchain for food traceability and for certificate management,” explains Steve O’Nan, Compliance and Supplier Integrity Program Manager, Kroger.