Food Traceability: The first use case of Blockchain in the Cyprus Public Sector

In an ambitious move, the State General Laboratory of Cyprus has initiated a groundbreaking project to design, implement, and deploy a food traceability platform, leveraging the power of blockchain technology.

This initiative marks a significant milestone as it represents the first use case of blockchain in the public sector in Cyprus.

Food traceability refers to the ability to track the production, distribution, and consumption of food products. In an era where food safety and authenticity are paramount, traceability ensures that consumers are informed about the origin and journey of their food. Blockchain technology, renowned for its transparency, security, and immutability, is ideally suited for this task. It provides an unalterable record of each product’s journey from farm to table, enhancing trust and efficiency in the food supply chain.

This ambitious project encompasses the design, implementation, and deployment of a blockchain-based platform to safeguard the authenticity, identity, safety, and quality of local and traditional Cypriot products. The inherent challenges of this project stem from its pioneering nature in the public sector. However, these are outweighed by the inherent benefits it promises. The platform will act as a catalyst in accelerating the digital transformation of government services and local production methods.

This project comes with a number of social and financial implications. Consumers will benefit from increased transparency regarding the products they purchase, fostering a higher level of confidence in Cypriot products. This transparency ensures that local regulations and policies are adhered to during production. As a result, Cypriot products will gain a stronger foothold in international markets, potentially boosting exports. Moreover, the growth of the local and traditional market will not only preserve the cultural heritage of Cyprus but also stimulate job creation, contributing to a more robust and vibrant economy.

Building a State-of-the-Art Food Traceability Platform

Electi is proud to announce its role as the coordinator of a dynamic consortium, which includes Parsectix and Grant Thornton’s Blockchain Department in Cyprus, to bring the vision of the State General Laboratory of Cyprus to life.

The platform will be designed as a web application, utilizing a microservice architecture to ensure scalability, flexibility, and robust performance. This architectural choice allows for the efficient management of complex and varied data, essential for the traceability of food products from production to consumption. We have chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS) as our hosting solution, leveraging its global infrastructure and security features to guarantee a reliable and secure user experience.

A cornerstone of our platform will be the integration with the European Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI). This integration is essential for creating and storing verifiable credentials, which are crucial for authenticating and tracing the journey of food products. By utilizing EBSI, we are aligning with European standards and ensuring a high level of trust and compliance in our traceability solution.

One of the key features of our platform is its consumer-centric approach. Consumers will have the ability to scan a QR code on the final product, which will unveil the entire journey of the product — from its origin in production to its final form at consumption. This feature not only enhances transparency but also empowers consumers to make informed choices about their food purchases. The platform is designed to be inclusive and interactive for all key stakeholders. Producers of products, the State General Laboratory, and other relevant entities will have access to the platform to input and manage data. This level of interaction ensures that the traceability process is comprehensive and accurate, reflecting the collective effort of all parties involved in the food supply chain.

Theodosis Mouzouris, Managing Partner, Electi Consulting

(Original image created by DALL-E)