Food Product Traceability by Using Automated Identification Technologies

Abstract

Abstract. Food product traceability from harvesting, through food processing to the final food product and through the retailer to the end consumer is a significant process that has to ensure food quality and safety. The traceability enables the end consumer to get information from all previous stages of the food product, leading back to the food origin. In this way, the consumer can get more information on the specific product, and thus make a decision on buying the product that suits his needs best. In each stage of the food product transformation, important data are generated for the subsequent chain participants. Every participant should have access to certain data of interest to them. This can be achieved by using automated identification technologies, like RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) and two-dimensional barcode, which allow faster data acquisition, recording and reading processes than the traditional means, and provide up-to-date information in each product stage. Furthermore, these technologies allow the possibility to record large amounts of data for each specific product, and interconnect all the data in a database. This paper discusses the process of providing traceability of food products, recording, transmitting and reading of significant data in specific stages of food product chain, with the application of automated identification technologies, including the possibility of obtaining additional data from a database, according to appropriate access level of each participant in the chain. Advantages and disadvantages of automated identification technologies are discussed, with the proposition for using specific technologies in certain food product stages.

Possibilities of establishing a smallholder pig identification and traceability system in Kenya

“…Automated techniques (including the use of machine-readable barcodes and radiofrequency identification (RFID)) allow for automation of traceability systems and promote faster and less expensive data collection processes (Stark et al 1998). They allow for automatic reading of details, record large volumes of data and help reduce possibilities of errors during recording (Santamarina et al 2007;Senk et al 2013). RFID technologies use radio waves to automatically identify animals (McCathie 2004) and have the data stored in passive transponders.…”

“…With regard to imports, the regulation states that "food and feed imported in the community for placing on the market within the community shall comply with the relevant requirements of food law, or conditions recognized by the community to be at least equivalent thereto, or where a specific agreement exists between the community and the exporting country, with requirements contained therein". Traceability can be "forward" meaning that products are tracked through the entire food chain or "backward" which allows for products to be traced back to their sources (Senk et al 2013). It is difficult to assure traceability post slaughter as methods used to identify animals may not be transferrable to the carcass (Mousavi et al 2002;Forsberg 2014).…”