Chapter 11 - Plant to plate—achieving effective traceability in the digital age

Abstract

Tracking and tracing has been an expected attribute of modern horticulture value chains for over 20 years. When working effectively, traceability is a well-coordinated and well-documented movement of product and documented activities associated with the product, from producer, through a network of intermediaries, to the final consumer. While the building blocks for high-performing traceability systems exist, the implementation of anything past relatively basic systems has been slow. Consideration of not only the advances in traceability technology but also identification of barriers to implementation are required to achieve the best application of traceability technologies in value chains. The main challenges to successfully deliver product consignments and derive maximum value for stakeholders includes (1) tracing and tracking perishable product and making optimal decisions regarding their management through increasingly more and more complex postharvest value chains; (2) meeting the demand of society and regulators for transparency regarding their food products and assurance that it is genuine, safe, and ethical; (3) developing resilience in the wake of consumers ability to amplify concerns and awareness regarding food safety/quality incidents via social media. At the heart of overcoming these obstacles is the use of digital traceability systems. Digital technology has delivered traceability systems that can instantaneously track and trace product accurately within a chain while providing data and insights to improve the decision-making processes of postharvest value chain stakeholders. Converting the prolific amounts of data that can be collected through postharvest value chains, successfully identifying and implementing traceability systems that reduce food risk, and continuing to develop trusted relationships with value chain partners are all key components when achieving effective traceability in the digital age.