How IBM is Using Blockchain Technology to Improve Food Safety
*By Conor White*
Blockchain isn't just for cryptocurrency.
Computing behemoth IBM ($IBM) is using the technology to ensure the food we eat is safe and properly sourced.
"We're basically leveraging the blockchain technology to track each item of food as it travels through its trajectory and its transportation from the field all the way to the retailer," Bridget Karlin, chief technology officer for IBM Global Technology Services, told Cheddar's Hope King at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev.
According to Karlin, blockchain is revolutionizing the way big-box retailers like Walmart ($WMT) do business.
"It used to take \[Walmart\] seven days to track an item from its origin all the way through to their shelves," Karlin said. "With blockchain, now it takes 2.2 seconds."
Walmart is working with IBM to implement blockchain as part of new food safety requirements for its suppliers. The two companies have been collaborating since 2016 to apply new levels of traceability across the food supply chain.
The partnership is part of The Food Trust blockchain, which includes other major forces like Nestlé (NSRGY), Dole ($DOLE), Kroger ($KR), and Tyson Foods (TSN).
In the future, a public health incident like the recent E.coli outbreak linked to contaminated romaine lettuce could be detected much more quickly and accurately.
"Now it's a matter of scaling that out more broadly to more participants," Karlin said.
Ben Geman, Energy Reporter at Axios, explains how the Iran war could reshape global energy—disrupting supply, shifting power, and accelerating a new regime.
Emily Peck, National Correspondent at Axios, explains why office vacancies hit 21% despite RTO pushes, highlighting a lasting shift in how Americans work.
Tobias Bauer, CEO & President of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility North America, shares insights on a $220M investment reshaping U.S. rail infrastructure.
Kory Kantenga from LinkedIn unpacks how the US added nearly 3x the expected jobs in March, and whether it can last as the Iran war reshapes the economy.
U.S. Air Force pilot Tyler Lucas beat 199 competitors on Beast Games Season 2 to win $5.1M. He joins us live to share how discipline and loyalty won the game.
Osier founder Cheree Ashley spent a decade building recovery programs & now she's channeling that mission into skincare with Selling Sunset's Sandra Vergara.
Genesis just committed to 22 new vehicles by 2030. The brand's COO joins us live to break down their luxury takeover, NY Auto Show reveals, and what's next.
