Blockchain Brings Speed and Clarity to Food Packaging

Walmart’s push is accelerating blockchain in food packaging, cutting recall times, boosting trust, and forcing suppliers to digitize data faster

4 Feb 2026

Blockchain technology is moving into the mainstream of the US food packaging industry as retailers and suppliers look for faster ways to manage food safety risks and recalls.

The shift has been led by large retailers, notably Walmart, which has expanded the use of blockchain-based traceability across fresh food categories. The retailer has shown that tracing products back through the supply chain can take seconds rather than days, reshaping expectations for packaging companies, logistics groups and food brands. Traceability, once treated as a compliance exercise, is increasingly seen as a commercial requirement.

Platforms such as IBM Food Trust have helped turn blockchain into an operational tool rather than an experiment. They allow multiple supply chain partners to share verified packaging data, including batch numbers, processing details and handling records, on a secure digital ledger. For packaging companies, this has pushed traceability into the core of production, labelling and distribution processes.

The economic argument is centred on risk reduction. Food recalls are costly and can damage brand trust. More precise traceability allows companies to identify and withdraw only affected batches instead of removing entire product lines. Reliable data can also support greater automation in warehouses and distribution centres, improving efficiency.

However, adoption is uneven. Many packaging facilities still rely on older equipment that cannot easily capture or transmit digital data. Upgrading systems and aligning data standards across suppliers requires investment and coordination. There is also wider awareness that while blockchain can protect records from being altered, it does not ensure that the original data entered is accurate, increasing the importance of quality controls at the packaging stage.

New technology providers are adding momentum. Companies such as Scantrust are linking secure digital labels on packaging directly to traceability platforms, combining physical packaging with data systems. This reflects a broader trend towards packaging that carries both protection and information.

Regulatory pressure is also building. US authorities are tightening food safety and traceability requirements, while consumers are demanding clearer information about the origin and handling of products. In response, blockchain is becoming part of the infrastructure of food packaging rather than a specialist tool.

For an industry marked by long and complex supply chains, the technology offers a more reliable way to move information alongside goods, from pack to plate.