A Blockchain-Based Framework for Secure and Transparent Food Supply Chain Traceability

Authors

  • Zahra Mobini * Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University. Tehran, Iran.
  • Nasim Nahavandi Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University
  • Motahareh Deghan 1Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University.

https://doi.org/10.48314/apem.vi.69

Abstract

Persistent concerns regarding product counterfeiting and food safety failures necessitate the implementation of sophisticated quality management frameworks capable of ensuring real-time transparency within food distribution networks. This research introduces and validates a blockchain-centric traceability architecture specifically optimized for highly perishable commodities, such as meat products. Our model mitigates systemic deficiencies, notably the delayed detection of hazardous contamination, pervasive information asymmetry, and operational fragmentation among supply chain participants. Adopting a design science research paradigm, the study integrates smart contract technology on a decentralized ledger to facilitate automated, immutable data logging across all supply chain tiers. Through expert-driven evaluation—incorporating metrics such as transparency, system reliability, data fidelity, latency, and cost-efficiency—the research demonstrates that blockchain integration significantly enhances product visibility, fosters stakeholder trust, and optimizes emergency response times during safety incidents. Ultimately, this study provides a scalable, secure, and technologically robust framework, offering a transformative pathway for securing food supply chains and bolstering public health safeguards.

Keywords:

Distributed ledger technology, Agri-food supply chain, Traceability system, Intelligent contracts, Supply chain visibility

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Published

2026-08-21

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Mobini, Z. ., Nahavandi, N. ., & Deghan, M. (2026). A Blockchain-Based Framework for Secure and Transparent Food Supply Chain Traceability. Annals of Process Engineering and Management. https://doi.org/10.48314/apem.vi.69

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