QR codes are being used to provide digital authentication to maintain differentiation
Penang’s durian industry has upgraded its traceability capabilities, implementing new digital authentication measures to fight against imitations.
According to a report from The Star, the Penang Fruit Farmers Association has rolled out a new initiative to stop durians from other states or countries from being passed off as Penang durians.
A QR code tag is attached to the stem of each durian before growers activate the fruit’s details into an online database.
Association chairman Kie Kim Hwa said consumers can scan the code to access information linked with the durian, including its source and verification details.
Each QR code remains valid for seven days from the first scan as an added safeguard against duplication and misuse, he said, adding that farmers can obtain the QR tags through the association.
“We have a tech company operating the online database to track the durians and even issue alerts if duplication is detected,” said Kie.
“This helps ensure the authenticity of our Penang durians. Customers can also verify the fruits directly at stalls.”
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said the QR code initiative would help growers who were emphasising quality.
“Malaysian durians are renowned for their quality and that is why in some countries, there are cases where durians are falsely represented as Malaysian durians,” he siad.
“We need to discuss this further with the Chinese authorities, including the General Administration of Customs China, to ensure Malaysian durians retain their branding identity and QR authentication system.”
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said other efforts to promote Penang durians included the launch of a new brochure titled Durian Legend: Savouring Penang’s King of Fruits, featuring updated information on durian stalls, farms, and estates from across the state.
