Kathy MeansProduce Marketing Association

Traceability: Linking the Supply Chain

Copyright PMA 20091

Produce Traceability Initiative

• Mission: Create action plan for produce industry to adopt effective whole chain traceability through common technology and standards that link internal traceability programs

• Internal Traceability = each company’s own system• External Traceability = data exchange between trading

partners• Whole-Chain Traceability = Internal + External

traceability

Path Forward: Effective, Efficient

• Uses existing global, market-proven standards: GS1• Uses existing technologies: Barcodes• Uses existing information:– Unique company identification number– Lot #– Pack/harvest date (optional if already in lot number)–One-step-up, one-step-down

• Augments (not replaces) internal systems• Why not RFID? –Water inhibits effective use; produce is 90% water

Key Components

• Unique identifiers – human readable (numbers) and electronic (bar codes)• Connects each link in the supply chain• Common system• Allows automation, eliminates manual activity• Increases productivity, ensures consistency• Allows database storage, information management• Allows for quick access and analysis• Can be extrapolated to other food industries

Copyright PMA 2009 4

(01) 90614141000415 (3202) 000712

ORANGESValencia 10 - 4 LB BAGS

Standard Case Label

(01) 10614141000415 (10) 022208ABC

Standard Case Label

GTIN Lot number

1 Step Up/1 Step Down

Primary Producer

Processor / Packer

Wholesaler / Distributor

Distribution Center

Retail Outlet

SU

PPLY

CH

AIN

1. Case ID (GTIN): 10577343123457

2. Lot #: 267A1156

Output

Input

Output

Output

Output

Input

Input

Input

GTINLOT #

GTINLOT #

GTINLOT #

GTINLOT #

Item ID – Databar

• Stacked omni-directional• Holds 14 characters• Designed for loose produce• Item-level codes – from product to producer• Traceability skips all distribution links in between

Item-level traceability

Primary Producer

Processor / Packer

Wholesaler / Distributor

Distribution Center/Retail Outlet

Consumer

SU

PPLY

CH

AIN

Output

Input

Output

Output

Output

Input

Input

Input

Databar

Databar

Why PTI?

• Common, global standards• Common information• Common technology• Expensive, but less so than other options• Interest from other perishables groups• www.producetraceability.org