Traceability Of Food Products Research Articles

Item-level Radio-Frequency IDentification for the traceability of food products: Application on a dairy product

In the food industry, radio-frequency identification systems could be exploited for traceability, logistics as well as for anti-counterfeit purposes. In this paper, a complete item-level radio-frequency (RF) traceability system is presented for a high-value, pressed, long-ripened cheese. The main contribution of this paper consists in experimenting with different techniques for fixing tags to the cheese and solutions for automatic identification adapted to handling procedures as implemented in a dairy factory. All item movements are thus automatically recorded during the production, handling in the maturing room and warehouse, delivery, packing and selling phases.Fixed and mobile RF devices operating at low, high and ultra-high frequency bands were considered for both static and dynamic identification of single/multiple cheese wheels. Factors such as tag type and shape, required power, antennas polarization and orientation, fixing method and ripening duration were considered in order to verify their effect on reading performance and system reliability.

How to define traceability

While food product traceability has become increasingly important in recent years, there is no consensus on what the term “traceability” means, and several conflicting definitions exist. This paper gives an overview of relevant traceability definitions, outlining similarities, differences, and the consequences of choosing one definition over another. To ascertain which definitions are most commonly used, 101 scientific articles relating to food traceability were reviewed. All the definitions commonly referred to in these articles are shown to have weaknesses. By combining the best parts of the existing definitions, this paper offers a new possible definition of traceability as pertaining to food products.

The TraceFood Framework – Principles and guidelines for implementing traceability in food value chains

Requirements related to food safety and associated legislation and certification have increased a lot in recent years. Among these are the requirements for systematic recordings to be made throughout the supply chain so that in case of a food crisis it is possible to trace back to source of contamination, and to perform a targeted recall of potentially affected food items. These systematic recordings must be connected to the food items through unique identifiers, and the recordings, the identifiers and the documentation of how ingredients and food items join or split up as they move through the supply chain is what constitutes a traceability system. For the food industry, the traceability system is also an important tool for controlling and optimizing production, for getting better industrial statistics and better decisions, and for profiling desirable product characteristics. Current status is that many food producers have good, often electronic traceability systems internally, but exchange (especially electronic exchange) of information between the links in the supply chain is very time-consuming or difficult due to the diversity and proprietary nature of the respective internal systems. To facilitate electronic interchange of this type of data, an international, non-proprietary standard is needed; one that describes how messages can be constructed, sent and received and also how the data elements in the messages should be identified, measured and interpreted. The TraceFood Framework was designed for this purpose, and it contains recommendations for “Good Traceability Practice”, common principles for unique identification of food items, a common generic standard for electronic exchange of traceability information (TraceCore XML), and sector-specific ontologies where the meaning and the inter-relationship of the data elements is defined. The TraceFood Framework is a joint collaboration of many EU-funded projects dealing with traceability of food products; especially the integrated project TRACE where most of the work related to specification, design and testing of the framework has taken place.

A Review on Agri-food Supply Chain Traceability by Means of RFID Technology

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology which provides appealing opportunities to improve the management of information flow within the supply chain and security in the agri-food sector. Nowadays, food safety is considered a major requirement in several countries, in particular, the traceability of food products which is mandatory by law. Thus, technological implementation leading to traceability strengthening in the agri-food sector is crucial. The first aim of this review is to analyze the current developments in RFID technology in the agri-food sector, through an operative framework which organizes the literature and facilitate a quick content analysis identifying future research direction. RFID technology seems to be able to bring great opportunities to this sector; nevertheless, several constraints are slowing its adoption. This survey may provide readers with an exhaustive overview of opportunities and constraints for the wide adoption of RFID. The second aim of this review is to provide an updated analysis on the current developments of RFID technology for different product typologies within the agri-food industry, discussing at the same time its potential in technological and logistical development regarding different sectors of the production/distribution chain. As referenced here, RFID implementations in the agri-food sector are increasing at a fast rate, and technological advancement follows the applicability opportunities. However, real applications of RFID technologies are still limited because of various technical and economical obstacles which are also discussed.

A Guide for Mitochondrial DNA Analysis in Non-Human Forensic Investigations

In recent years, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing has become established as a powerful tool for forensic investigations. The sequencing of mtDNA is now a standard laboratory procedure for the examination of degraded casework samples of human origin, with unique advantages over nuclear DNA profiling systems. Nonetheless, the use of mtDNA in non-human forensic science has only recently gained attention, with applications in the profiling of 'silent witnesses' of crimes, traceability of food products and control of illegal trade of endangered species or drugs, among others. This review briefly describes some important features of mtDNA with relevance for forensic testing in different taxonomic groups and suggests appropriate laboratorial and analytic procedures to avoid erroneous interpreta- tions. It is imperative to merge a solid knowledge of mitochondrial genetics with rigorous methods of error prevention in order to permit the full approval of non-human mtDNA profiling in routine forensic work.

Purchasing Fresh Produce on the Basis of Food Safety, Origin, and Traceability Labels

Certification, designation of origin (PDO), and traceability of food products can be viewed as quality cues, possessing certain socioeconomic and demographic characteristics that are highly valued by today's consumers. Thus, assessing how consumers evaluate such quality cues and to what extent they are willing to pay a premium for food with one or more of the above-mentioned labels helps producers and processors to adjust according to market demand. The present study aims to identify consumers' awareness, attitudes, and buying intention toward food quality cues such as certification, food safety, origin, and traceability in fresh produce (fruits and vegetables). A logit model was applied to data collected by interviewing 400 consumers in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, to identify the factors that affect consumers' intention to pay a premium price for these specific quality cues for fresh produce. Results indicate that the most important factors affecting willingness to pay a premium are mainly related to positive attitudes toward healthy food, level of awareness, and, to a lesser extent, several socioeconomic characteristics. The recorded consumer interest for safety and quality in fresh produce reveals that a promising market for such products can be developed by an adequate response in the relative labelling.

Agribusiness Firm Reactions to Regulations: The Case of Investments in Traceability Systems

The regulatory framework of food production has changed a lot in recent years. As a result, traceability of food products has become mandatory in the European Union, nonetheless leaving room for more advanced solutions. This study answers the question what exactly determines firms' investments in traceability systems by first developing a theoretical framework - the so-called Tracking and Tracing System Investment Model - and then analyzing empirical data from the German food industry that provide in-depth insights into companies' investment behaviour. Altogether, 234 companies representing more than fifteen different sub ‐ sectors of the food ‐ processing industry participated in an online survey. The results show that German food firms can be divided into four clusters based on their dominant motives for investing (or not investing) in traceability systems. Moreover, the results of a partial ‐ least squares (PLS) analysis provide a good understanding of the major factors influencing the investment behaviour of companies concerning tracking and tracing systems.

Food product traceability and supply network integration

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a more precise conceptual understanding of the interplay between food product traceability and supply network integration.Design/methodology/approachA resource‐based network approach was used to create a framework with empirical evidence from a fresh strawberry product case.FindingsA conceptual model describes product traceability as interacting with different organizational and informational resources.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a preliminary model that substantiates a cross‐functional approach teamwork‐based to developing product traceability.Originality/valueThe study shows developing food product traceability as a complex undertaking dependent on information connectivity including a technical aspect of supply chain integration, and different forms of knowledge, an organizational aspect of supply chain integration.

Opportunities and Constraints for Wide Adoption of RFID in Agri-Food

RFID is a pervasive technology, which provides appealing opportunities for improving supply chain management and security in the agri-food sector. All over the world, food safety is considered a requirement, and in several countries the traceability of food products is mandatory. Therefore, several studies on traceability management have been conducted both by industrial and academic research communities, especially on not traditional technologies as RFID. The aim of this article is to analyze and to describe the most relevant results on RFID-based systems for agri-food traceability. The RFID technology seems to be able to bring great opportunities to agri-food, nevertheless, not negligible constraints are slowing its adoption. This survey may provide readers with an exhaustive overview on opportunities and constraints for RFID wide adoption in agri-food.

Genetic authentication and traceability of food products of animal origin: new developments and perspectives

In recent years, both the demand and the supply for food of animal origin have experienced important changes making of fundamental importance the implementation of traceability systems. DNA analysis has the potential to overcome the limits of the conventional authentication and traceability procedures. Different levels can be considered: species identification, breed traceability, individual traceability, sex determination, and identification of genetically modified animals. DNA analysis for these levels makes use of endogenous DNA, i.e. DNA of animal origin that constitutes the fingerprinting of the animal itself or of its derived products. However, another source of DNA that can be analysed for authentication or traceability purposes is exogenous DNA, i.e. DNA added to the products that is not derived from the animals from which the products are obtained. Using exogenous DNA, other levels could be considered for traceability: year of production, consortium, farm, processing industry, etc. New technologies and innovative approaches are changing the way to consider and apply genetic authentication and traceability of food of animal origin. The advantages will be for both the consumers and producers creating added values for the animal production sector.

Environmental impact of the substitution of imported soybean meal with locally-produced rapeseed meal in dairy cow feed

Growing public concerns about the traceability, safety and environmental-friendliness of food products provide an incentive for shorter supply chains in agricultural production. Here, we assessed the environmental impacts of the substitution of imported soybean meal with locally-produced rapeseed meal in French dairy production systems, using a life-cycle approach. Two feeding rations based on either French-produced rapeseed meal or Brazilian-produced soy meal as concentrates, were compared for nine impact categories, including global warming, ecotoxicity and eutrophication. Crop production was the main contributor to most impacts, while overseas transport of soy meal only had a marginal effect. The “Soybean” ration appeared more environmentally-efficient than the “Rapeseed” ration because it involved less intensive management practices, in particular regarding synthetic fertilizers consumption. However, land use changes brought about by soybean cultivation should also be examined.

Applications and implications of nanotechnologies for the food sector

A review of current and projected nanotechnology-derived food ingredients, food additives and food contact materials is presented in relation to potential implications for consumer safety and regulatory controls. Nanotechnology applications are expected to bring a range of benefits to the food sector, including new tastes, textures and sensations, less use of fat, enhanced absorption of nutrients, improved packaging, traceability and security of food products. The review has shown that nanotechnology-derived food and health food products are set to grow worldwide and, moreover, a variety of food ingredients, additives, carriers for nutrients/supplements and food contact materials is already available in some countries. The current level of applications in the European food sector is at an elementary stage; however, it is widely expected that more and more products will be available in the EU over the coming years. The toxicological nature of hazard, likelihood of exposure and risk to consumers from nanotechnology-derived food/food packaging are largely unknown and this review highlights major gaps in knowledge that require further research. A number of uncertainties and gaps in relevant regulatory frameworks have also been identified and ways of addressing them proposed.

European Consumers’ Perceptions, Definitions and Expectations of Traceability and the Importance of Labels, and the Differences in These Perceptions by Product Type

AbstractGiven the heterogeneity of European consumers, it is not surprising that they have different perceptions and expectations regarding and understanding the concept of ‘traceability’. Consumers may also perceive traceability differently for different product types. The present study is based upon an analysis of focus groups in 12 countries across Europe. It explains how European consumers understand the traceability of food products as well as their expectations of traceability for different types of food product (meat and honey have been used as examples). Labelling schemes for these two types of products are also examined. The results showed that dissimilarities exist in consumers’ perceptions of traceability in different countries. Some dissimilarities also exist between consumers’ expectations of traceability and the information they require. However, labels are still seen as an important way of communicating with consumers, although the participants claimed that these labels need to be understandable and more easily accessible to facilitate consumer understanding.

Studies on GIS Based Tracing and Traceability of Safe Crop Product in China

Abstract The safety of safe crop products (SCP) is critical to maintain people's health and living standard. With the global efforts on the improvement of the traceability of food products, it is inevitable to establish corresponding traceability systems to monitor the safety of crop products in China. In this article, the supply chain pattern of SCP in China has been analyzed and its spatial characters have been described in detail. The study deals with on how to relate traceability technology with GIS, and on how to trace and retrace the safety of SCP using the function of excellent spatial representation, spatial locating, and spatial analysis provided in GIS, which has been discussed from several aspects, such as coding technique of traceability information, transferring technique of traceability information, spatialization of traceability information, and application integration of traceability system. A pilot study was carried out to present the basic functions of the system, which provided an efficient and credible way to trace and retrace the safety of SCP in a real supply chain. An innovative idea has been brought forward for how to establish an efficient, credible, applied traceability system of SCP.

Traceability of food products: General framework and experimental evidence

Traceability is becoming a method of providing safer food supplies and of connecting producers and consumers. Recent diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) and the questions concerning genetically modified organism (GMO) mean systems that enable control of each link in the food chain have become particularly relevant. Furthermore, although EU law no. 178 came into effect on the 1st January 2005, at the time of writing the regulatory situation is very confused. The aim of this paper is to analyze legal and regulatory aspects of food traceability, and to provide a general framework for the identification of fundamental mainstays and functionalities in an effective traceability system. Possible technical resources were clarified by analyzing assessment criteria obtained from studies of alphanumerical codes, bar codes, and radio frequency identification (RFID). Finally, the paper presents the traceability system used by Parmigiano Reggiano (the famous Italian cheese) which was developed using the proposed general framework. Based on an integration of alphanumerical codes and RFID technology, the system is working well with very good results for both cheese producers and consumers. Some interesting observations concerning development trends and traceability system costs close the paper.

The role of engineering in the process of traceability of food products

The role of engineering in the process of traceability of food products

Consumer evaluations of product certification, geographic association and traceability in Greece

Certification, geographic association and traceability of food and drink products are quality cues that have not been extensively researched by the current academic literature. These quality cues are highly valued by consumers possessing certain socio‐economic and demographic characteristics that form distinct and clearly‐defined market segments. A sample of 744 Greek wine consumers is used to assess the factors influencing consumer evaluations towards quality cues. An ordered probit model with sample selectivity reveals that these attributes are valued as highly important by consumers possessing certain socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The type and source of information received by consumers, their place of origin, income, age, sex, education and marital status all exert an independent effect on the evaluation process. The use of such quality cues may be potentially useful in creating niche markets and advancing rural localities through the support of small producers utilizing local raw materials and production techniques.