As a result of globalization, food production and distribution systems have become more interdependent. To be able to lessen the wastefulness of food, and keep an effective value chain covering everything from production to consumption, a technologically advanced traceabilityis needed. Traceability allows you managethe potential risk in the supply chain. Currently, by law in Japan, European Union (EU), and the United States, specific standards for food traceability are mandated internationally.
The are two main forms of traceability system which is internal traceability and chain traceability. Internal traceability pertains to recording of data inside the organization or any separate geographic location. Chain traceability looks at recording data and transferring it through a supply chain among intra and inter organisations. Based on the the category of business, traceability data may be both static and dynamic. Static data is fixed, whereas dynamic data changes over a period of time. To be able to capture, record, store, and share traceability data efficiently, use of software like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and database management solutions, cloud computing and SaaS (software as a service) solutions areexpected to lead towards lower cost and cost-effective operations.
The food traceability technology industry is mainly driven by technology.
An example of food tracebility is the newest DNA Spray-On Technology That May Transform Food Traceability
See Food Safety News - DNA Spray-On Technology Could Revolutionize Food Traceability
"A liquid solution containing unique bits of DNA that gets sprayed on foods in order to easily identify information about where it came from and how it was produced in the event of an outbreak or recall. DNATrek, a Bay Area startup, is hoping to revolutionize the food traceability industry with DNA “barcodes” that can be added to fruits and vegetables via a liquid spray or a wax. The company says the tracers are odorless, tasteless and pose no food safety risk.
GenomeTrakr is FDA’s version of Hoover’s fingerprint file
FDA is pioneering the use of whole genome sequencing to reduce illnesses and deaths from foodborne illness. GenomeTrakr, a network of federal, state, academic, and other laboratories around the world, is making genomic information from foodborne pathogens publicly available so it can be used to speed outbreak investigations and to improve food safety processes.