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2005-07-04

FOOD (TRACKING SYSTEM) FOR THOUGHT

In a breaking news article published on June = 29th,=20 2005 by foodproductiondaily.com it was stated that = ScoringSystem,=20 Inc. has launched an Internet-based record keeping system = and=20 database. This system would allow companies to track their = food=20 products throughout the supply chain using radio frequency=20 identification (RFID) and a new way of determining the exact = location of each handler.

ScoringAg.com (a subsidiary of = ScoringSystem) has been=20 specifically designed to provide tracing information on = agricultural=20 products worldwide, from the "field-to-fork". They expressed = that=20 companies will need such systems as governments implement = new=20 regulations requiring them to track food products through = the supply=20 chain as they are importing from ever more diverse areas. =

RFID technology, which uses miniature = antennas and=20 tiny computer chips to track items at a distance using radio = waves,=20 is increasingly coming to the fore as the best means of = tracking=20 goods throughout the supply chain. Many suppliers have been = obliged=20 to install RFID technology because of regulatory pressure = and retail=20 requirements from big retailers such as Wal-Mart.

The ScoringAg system provides RFID traceback = in real=20 time through a secure online databank that pinpoints the = location of=20 each handler in the food chain. The system can also work = with=20 barcodes. Companies will have unique accounts through which = they=20 will be able to access their product specific data.

Location is identified through a unique = Premises=20 IDentification Code (PIDC), a mapping technology developed = by=20 ScoringSystem. PIDC records activities and actions performed = on the=20 animals, fish, or crops at each location - even in the = middle of a=20 packing plant, or on board a factory ship, or in the middle = of a=20 farmer's field, and all the way to the retailer and = consumer.

ScoringSystem's PIDC traceability system = uses the ISO=20 standard for location and property identification. However=20 ScoringSystem has developed a more comprehensive system to = define=20 all land and sea locations globally, including those areas = that are=20 not recognised or covered by the ISO standard, the UN and = other=20 international organisations.

"In today's global marketplace, any true = traceability=20 system must include all agricultural products to provide a = true=20 chain of custody with traceback and traceup throughout,"=20 ScoringSystem stated in a press release. "This includes fish = from=20 lakes, rivers, and oceans around the world, poultry and = hydroponics=20 crops that may be raised in multi-story structures above = ground and=20 wild mushrooms, truffles, and root vegetables that may be = collected=20 or harvested below ground."

The traceback system provides online = tracking through=20 the food chain, including transport operators, vehicles, = inspection=20 stations, stockyards and all processors and food handlers to = prove=20 source verification.
"Without efficient, effective data=20 collection system and a Web-based data management system, = tagging=20 livestock and other agriculture items cannot provide true = animal=20 traceback and traceup - even when a local, resident software = system=20 and database is used," ScoringSystem stated in a press = release. "A=20 Web-based system makes it possible for records to move with = the=20 individual product, which cuts the time required for source=20 verification to just seconds."

For further information on this article and = the work=20 of the Bureau, please contact the Manager Information = Services,=20 Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards, Corner Redcliffe = Street=20 & Corn Alley, P.O. Box 1550 St. John's, Antigua (W.I.) = or=20 Telephone 462-2424 (Fax 462-1625) or email: abbs@antigua.gov.ag.