The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), in cooperation with the Digital Government Authority (DGA), has conducted a Proof of Concept (POC) study to explore the use of blockchain technology in government entities' efforts to adopt innovative solutions that would improve digital transformation and elevate the digital economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Blockchain is a relatively new technology with a wide range of applications in various industries, including government. This experiment is one of the first of its kind in tracing the movement of products on a large scale using blockchain technology.
The POC focused on tracking the journey of products from the farm to the point of sale and providing end-users with complete transparency regarding the parties involved in the supply chain, such as the farm, the slaughterhouse, and the retailer. By recording data in a decentralized manner, the end consumer can have confidence in the product's journey, ensuring security and immutability.
Additionally, the POC also included displaying other information about the supply chain partners, including the "Halal" certificate from the Saudi Halal Center, which documents the work of slaughterhouses for meat products in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT). These advanced records enhance the values of transparency, which in turn increases the level of trust among supply chain entities and consumers.
It is noteworthy that the global market for halal products is growing at a rapid pace, providing an opportunity for local companies to access global markets with a competitive advantage, which is a halal certificate documented by the Saudi Halal Center in an unalterable form and the form of a non-fungible token (NFT). This solution contributes to verifying the products' halal status and enhances the values of discipline, transparency, and support for promising local companies.