Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, Chicago, announced the closing of its third venture capital fund, Cultivian Sandbox Food & Agriculture Fund III.

Albertsons Cos., Boise, Idaho, joined the blockchain-based IBM Food Trust network, North Castle, N.Y., to begin piloting technology designed to improve how food is traced from farm to store shelf.

The National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa, partnered with Ripe Technology, Inc., San Francisco, to pilot blockchain technology use in the U.S. pork industry.

Tyson Fresh Meats, the Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., collaborated with IdentiGEN, Lawrence, Kan., to use DNA technology to trace beef back to the individual animal of origin.

DNV GL, Norway, and NDS (Nongshim Data System), South Korea, announced plans to collaborate on further developing digital assurance solutions targeting food safety and traceability in the food and beverage industry.

JBT Corp., Chicago, launched the FLEX-ID Labeling System, a high-speed solution for fruit and vegetable packers looking to enhance traceability.

Here’s how more advanced product inspection technologies can help food manufacturers and packagers meet retailer expectations.

A rapidly growing urban population and increased consumer awareness regarding sustainability are prompting food and beverage companies and manufacturers to employ digital solutions to ensure product quality, according to a study produced by Frost & Sullivan, Santa Clara, Calif.

Aiming to address global demand for food, The World Economic Forum, Switzerland, released “Innovation with a Purpose: Improving Traceability in Food Value Chains through Technology,” a report that investigates the role of disruptive technology applications capable of effectively tracing inefficiencies in food value chains.