Vulnerability and Critical Control Point Assessment of the Feta Cheese Supply Chain in Greece towards Blockchain Implementation

Abstract

As unique and culturally important commodities, food items designated with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) play a pivotal role in the food supply chain by safeguarding the authenticity and uniqueness of regional delicacies. Within the PDO realm, Feta cheese, a culturally significant dairy product with strict geographic and production regulations, faces challenges like counterfeit products, threatening its authenticity. This study examines the PDO Feta cheese supply chain, focusing on "Olympos" producer and "Masoutis" retailer in Greece. This evaluation utilizes the Delphi Technique in combination with the design phases of HACCP, VACCP, and TACCP to thoroughly examine operations, vulnerabilities, and critical control points. The findings reveal numerous weaknesses and critical control points in the Feta cheese supply chain that require attention and serve as a foundation for enhancing PDO supply chains. Moreover, Blockchain Technology (BT) is proposed as a solution to enhance traceability. BT, with its decentralized and immutable ledger system, is seen as transformative in data management, fostering trust among stakeholders. It ensures transparent and auditable records throughout the supply chain, providing consumers with unprecedented authenticity transparency. The integration of BT holds promise for enhancing overall integrity and efficiency, benefiting all stakeholders.