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STAND OUT TECHNOLOGY
Blockchain & Food Safety...

Dubai as Inspiration

Foodborne illness is a common and costly public health problem. The World Health Organization estimates that
1 in 10 people fall ill due to foodborne diseases each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimates that roughly 48 million get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases in
America alone.

The sad fact underlying these statistics is that most foodborne nutritional information of all edible items served through the 20,000 or
illnesses are preventable. If a single consumer becomes ill and more food establishments in the emirate.
reports it, the offending product can be recalled – that is how it According to leaders at the conference, the initial phase of data
works, at least in theory. With today’s systems, it can take days to compiling focuses on food establishments handling high-risk foods.
identify a contaminated product, then to identify its origin shipment Eventually, all other food establishments will be required to update the
and finally to identify its source vendor. In that time, many more platform with information about their food items, including health and
consumers become sick. It is not the lack of information; it is the nutritional claims, details about their premises and food handlers, and
lack of access. even certifications. These pieces of data will give inspectors and
Studying Dubai as Inspiration consumers unprecedented access to critical information.
Dubai is full of people who look to the future. You can see it in their Food on Blockchain
stunning sky scrapers, malls and highways throughout the city. More important than the information being gathered about food is how
You can also see it in their determination to explore ways to use having that data can facilitate action. Future phases of Dubai’s new food
blockchain and big data to protect their food. According to monitoring system will focus on incorporating blockchain and Internet
municipality statistics, Dubai imports about $200 billion of food of Things to quickly and accurately track food products from farm to fork
annually from nearly 200 countries. Last month, government and everywhere in between. Making this data easily accessible can
leaders there took a step to digitize food data to ensure better food enhance the ability of officials and consumers to take action before and
safety and to help consumers with their nutritional needs and after a health violation or food poisoning incident takes place.
preferences. The Dubai conference’s theme of “Predict, Prevent, Protect” hints
Digital Food at the Municipality’s larger goals to predict foodborne issues, prevent
illnesses and protect consumers proactively through blockchain and big
During the opening ceremonies for the 11th Dubai International data. The stated goal is for the system to be in place before Dubai hosts
Food Safety Conference in 2017, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director the World Expo in 2020. Dubai’s successes and pitfalls will help to provide
General of Dubai Municipality, launched “Food Watch,” a digital a blueprint for other blockchain implementations around food safety.
platform that aims to completely digitize the food safety and

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