Ep. 216. Sandro Tarchini: Driving Global Food Traceability, Authenticity with Blockchain

Sandro Tarchini serves as Global Head of Business Development at Cardano Foundation. He has more than a decade of experience in digital financial services, fintech innovation, and strategic partnerships across blockchain and traditional finance sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Saxo Bank, and most recently, Wyden. Sandro's latest work at the Foundation includes collaboration with Grant Thornton Switzerland to execute the first financial audit attestation on a blockchain. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Sandro [38:28] about: What blockchain is, and how it can be applied to the food supply chain to improve traceability and transparency How blockchain's "immutable transparency" could help solve problems like food fraud and increase trust in food systems Hurdles to industry adoption of blockchain technology for traceability The Cardano Foundation's work with the Georgian National Wine Agency to establish the Georgian Wine Traceability Program, which uses blockchain to authenticate wine from vineyard to retail Educational resources offered by the Cardano Foundation to help industry understand and adopt blockchain solutions Trends driving blockchain momentum, such as regulatory changes, and near-term challenges to blockchain implementation Lessons and best practices for setting up the right ecosystem of partners and resources in Switzerland, where the Cardano Foundation is based. Before we speak to Sandro, listen to Adrienne's interview with Patrick Schneider [22:17], Vice President of Operations and Engineering at CDG Environmental LLC, about the importance of chlorine dioxide for comprehensive sanitation programs in food manufacturing facilities. Patrick also discusses what sets CDG's chlorine dioxide solutions apart from others on the market, as well as CDG's presence at the upcoming Food Safety Summit. News and Resources News FDA FY 2027 Budget Request Includes $57 Million for 'MAHA' [5:31] FDA Launches BRIDGE Project to Modernize Food Facility Inspections [8:23] FDA Finds Adulteration in 4 Percent of Honey Samples [13:19] Global Survey Highlights Gaps and Opportunities in Food Safety Training [15:06] Study Evaluates Pathogen Reductions on Microgreens Treated with UV-C [19:41] USDA Creates Office of Seafood [21:00] Resources Cardano Foundation Food Safety Summit Live Streaming Register for the Food Safety Summit, taking place May 11–14 in Rosemont, Illinois! Sponsored by: CDG Environmental Visit CDG–the Chlorine Dioxide Company at Booth #446 at the 2026 Food Safety Summit! We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected]