Responsibility Index System (RISE): Enhancing Food Security and Safety with a Transparent, Blockchain-Based Accountability Framework

Abstract

Effective management of semi-perishable food items is pivotal for minimizing waste, ensuring food safety, and advancing sustainability goals. This paper introduces the Responsibility Index System (RISE), a blockchain-powered framework aimed at fostering transparency and accountability within retail environments. While unprocessed food grains possess extended shelf lives, their transformation into semi-perishable products - such as flour, noodles, and bread - results in significantly shorter shelf lives. Unsold inventory of these products contributes to food wastage and artificially inflates the cost of raw grains due to distorted demand cycles. By holding retailers accountable for creating unnecessary demand, RISE incentivizes the optimization of processed food offerings. This adjustment not only reduces waste but also enhances food accessibility for underserved populations at stabilized prices. The proposed framework aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). It employs a balanced and impactful approach to promote public trust while augmenting the economic and social responsibility of retail businesses. Furthermore, the RISE system establishes a novel scoring mechanism displayed at retail marketplaces and online platforms, empowering sustainability-conscious consumers to make informed choices. This work lays the groundwork for a transformative shift in retail accountability, combining technological innovation with global sustainability priorities. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.