# TE-FOOD Blockchain Platform for Food Traceability

> TE-FOOD is a blockchain-based platform for complete food traceability from producer to consumer. The platform improves transparency in food supply chains and enables companies and consumers to track the entire journey of a product. The system supports various identification technologies such as barcodes and RFID chips and is already deployed in Vietnam.

**Sector:** Primary sector · **Industry:** Agriculture · **Organisation:** TE-FOOD International Ltd. · **Maturity level:** Production

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/te-food-international-lebensmittelherkunft-bauernhof-verfolgen

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Production
- **Evidence:** Evidence medium
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

Fraunhofer FIT (Institute for Applied Information Technology) analysed in a whitepaper on food tech platforms the potential of blockchain for food traceability from farm to consumer. The approach combines blockchain with IoT sensors for automatic data capture along the food supply chain.

Food fraud costs the EU an estimated 49 billion euros annually: false organic labels, forged origin claims (PDO/PGI), horsemeat scandals, horsemeat sold as beef. Blockchain systems can structurally address these problems because once entered, data cannot be manipulated. The Fraunhofer FIT whitepaper describes architectural patterns for food tech platforms: IoT sensors in the field and in refrigerated vehicles automatically record temperature, humidity and GPS position; the data are documented as immutable blockchain transactions. Consumers can track the complete journey of a product via QR code scan — including certification proof. Particularly relevant: temperature-sensitive foods (meat, dairy products, seafood) — cold chain interruptions are a common quality defect that often goes unnoticed. Blockchain documentation makes every deviation immediately visible. Fraunhofer FIT is also the founding institute of the SapientBlock project and the Blockchain Reallabor in Hürth.

## Benefits

- Companies can meet their compliance requirements more efficiently and simplify audits through digital documentation.
- Consumers gain full control over the origin of their food and can make informed purchasing decisions.
- Blockchain technology ensures immutable and trustworthy documentation of all supply chain steps.
- Rapid identification of affected product batches in quality issues significantly reduces recall costs.
- Increased transparency strengthens consumer trust and enables premium prices for traceable products.
- Employees save time through automated documentation processes and can focus on value-adding activities.

## Challenges

- Companies need to adapt their business processes and train employees in the new technology.
- Integration with existing IT systems requires technical expertise and can be complex.
- All actors in the supply chain must be motivated to participate in order to achieve full transparency.
- Employees must get used to new digital workflows and learn to use blockchain-based systems.

## Technology foundation

The platform uses a permissioned blockchain technology with its own TFD token system for transactions and incentives. This type of blockchain is particularly suitable for supply chains as it allows controlled access while guaranteeing data immutability.

## Sources

- [Whitepaper Food Tech Plattformen](https://www.fit.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/fit/witschaftsinformatik/dokumente/Whitepaper%20Food%20Tech%20Plattformen.pdf)