RFID, barcode, satellite, Zigbee, cell phones, tablets, packaging, data loggers, the cloud and other traceability alternatives are now available to provide traceability at the item, case, pallet and container levels. Many of these new systems bring with them the ability to collect location (GPS) and condition (temperature, humidity) data and transmit data via the Internet to “the cloud”. The power of these traceability technologies to provide predictive and preventive analytics is critical to food safety. New FSMA planning requirements in the food sector require recall planning and recall testing in all sectors of the food supply chain. Recall requires traceability data that tells what food is in the stream, where it is located and recall systems must be able to provide such information in real time. Reducing recall time means reducing illness, the loss of life and damage to the industry’s reputation.  

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is poised to enact new laws impacting most food industry operations. However, traceability is one of the most critical aspects of food control has been left out of the new legal or FDA guidance. Regardless of the FDA’s reluctance to provide direction, industry leaders are adopting digital traceability strategies at a rapid pace. Time is running extremely short for those logistics personnel who have long delayed upgrading their thinking and systems. New FDA FSMA rules will become enacted and legal requirements within the next few months and will provide the FDA with full enforcement powers. Under the FDA and the FSMA, you will be required to provide documented proof of sanitation, temperature and other types of food safety controls. In this session, you will learn how to tie those data requirements and other food safety information to your traceability system and to work with your supply chain to provide an effective implementation.
This digital traceability session will cover the nature and advantages of supply chain digital traceability and many of the concepts as well as the current and future hardware and software technological innovations.