MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fresh Del Monte Produce, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, announced today that it has invested a 39 percent stake in Decapolis, a Jordanian and UK-based start-up technology company which delivers a blockchain-powered food safety and quality traceability technology for the food industry. The investment is part of Fresh Del Monte’s technology-driven mission to provide best-in-class, innovative solutions for its products and services, and to provide sustainable solutions that other businesses and industries can benefit from.
The two companies plan to roll out Decapolis Food Guard (DFG)™, the blockchain-based traceability solution, across all Fresh Del Monte business segments, starting with Fresh Del Monte’s pineapple operations in Costa Rica. Decapolis Food Guard offers complete traceability solutions through the DFG chain of records that capture assessments at every stage of production, from planting to distribution through the use of QR codes. Implementation of blockchain technology ensures that data remains immutable and QR codes on product labels certify end-to-end traceability. Anyone who scans the QR code will be able to see a complete log of product information from farm to table. This traceability process enables reliable record keeping in the supply chain, whether it affects consumer knowledge, food safety or quality analysis. Fresh Del Monte and Decapolis also plan to offer Decapolis Food Guard (DFG)™ to other interested businesses.
“Now more than ever, consumers are very aware of what goes into their food. With this blockchain technology, they will know exactly what has gone into the product and where it has traveled to the moment it was purchased for consumption. We are excited to begin rolling out this traceability solution to all Fresh Del Monte products,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and CEO.
Decapolis has successfully developed and deployed this solution in the private and public sector, spanning four continents. Today, Decapolis is optimistic about its promising partnership with Fresh Del Monte.
“We are in the business of doing good. We embark on this endeavor with full confidence in our company, our offerings, service and the people we serve. It is sure to be a promising and fruitful venture, a force multiplier for work that positively impacts communities, families and the future of healthy living and technology for good. “We remain steadfast in moving towards our vision of becoming the leading global reference platform for compliance and certification for food retail worldwide,” said Abedalrhman Habashneh, Founder and CEO of Decapolis.
ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared foods in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte markets its products worldwide under DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the US subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte is the first global fruit and vegetable marketer to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative. In 2022, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey that ranks companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust and employee trust. Fresh Del Monte Produce trades on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.
ABOUT DECAPOLIS
Decapolis is a global leader based in Jordan and the UK in food tracking technology. The mission of Decapolis is to support partners and, by extension, the industries in which we work to deliver premium goods whose end-to-end supply and production chain adheres to strict safety and quality control standards. Decapolis helps food manufacturers increase product profitability and reduce operating costs by using the blockchain for increased transparency and efficiency of the food manufacturer’s supply chain and distribution processes. Where possible, manual processes and record keeping are digitized and automated. Decapolis Food Guard (DFG)™ integrates connections with manufacturer measurement systems, IoT devices and manufacturer ERP systems to gather business, financial and technical data that governs production processes. Decapolis works with the World Food Program (WFP) to enable over 600 smallholder farmers to produce in-demand, higher quality crops and increase product profitability by accessing new markets. This improves smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, brings safe, healthy products to local markets and increases efficiency across production and supply chains. This year, Decapolis joins WFP in the National School Feeding Program in Jordan. Decapolis supplies fresh fruit and vegetables from their consortium of farms for the program which ensures that traceable, healthy, nutritious meals are delivered to school children across the country.
