Origin and traceability of foods: Application of the near-infrared spectroscopy technique

Abstract

This study reviews the ways in which technology can help to increase consumer confidence in food that is presenting an increasingly long market journey due to globalization. On the one hand, blockchain technology can be crucial in ensuring the traceability of the origin of a food, thus alleviating the vulnerability of the food chain owing to lack of authenticity. On the other hand, the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique is very suitable for controlling the quality and safety of food because it verifies foods’ characteristics and properties. With the NIR technique, different types of food can be analyzed in situ to determine their geographical origin, possible adulteration, possible transgenic nature, and authenticity of organic farming. We may conclude that blockchain and NIR, along with other complementary analytical and statistical techniques, provide truthful information that is of great interest and potential for the end consumer.