Traceability and Transparency in Global Food Value Chains

The globalization of food value chains has intensified the need for robust traceability and transparency systems to safeguard food safety, enhance consumer trust, and ensure sust ainability. This chapter examines the conceptual foundations, technological enablers, regulatory frameworks, and practical challenges shaping traceability and transparency across agriculture, manufacturing, and distribution. Traceability is defined as the ability to track food products and inputs across the entire value chain, while transparency emphasizes making this information accessible and verifiable to stakeholders. Together, they form the backbone of accountability in global food systems. Technological advances—such as blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—are transforming how food products are monitored, recorded, and shared, enabling predictive analytics, real-time data collection, and automated compliance. Case studies, including Walmart’s blockchain partnership with IBM, demonstrate the benefits of improved safety, fraud reduction, and operational efficiency, while also highlighting barriers such as cost, scalability, and data privacy. International standards (e.g., ISO 22005, Codex Alimentarius, and HACCP guidelines) provide regulatory guidance but face challenges in harmonization across diverse jurisdictions. Despite technological promise, implementation is hindered by economic disparities, interoperability issues, and limited capacity among small and medium-sized enterprises. The chapter argues that future food value chains will be increasingly digitalized, data-driven, and collaborative, requiring vertical and horizontal integration across stakeholders. Ultimately, embedding traceability and transparency at the core of food systems is essential to strengthen resilience, enhance sustainability, and build consumer confidence in a complex global food economy.