Fresh Produce Traceability

The quality of fresh fruit and vegetables depends on practices at the individual nodes in the farm-to-fork supply chain. A failure at any point in the supply chain (production, packing, transport, distribution, retail or consumer)  can result in a dramatic loss of value of the product.  If the failure affects the safety of the product, it can impact public health, consumer confidence and can be economically devastating.  The fresh produce industry is addressing fresh produce safety through the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).  GAPs, a series of evidence-based practices can, when implemented correctly, minimize the risk of fresh produce contamination.  Traceability, the ability to trace and follow food through all stages and locales of the supply chain, is a fundamental aspect of a working GAPs program.  Large fruit and vegetable suppliers are typically required to ensure traceability of their fresh produce by their brokers/buyers.  The demand for traceability in the production chain has recently included mid-size and small operations.  Current systems to track products, location, and practices through the production chain, from various operation sizes, will be discussed.  How these systems are being implemented currently and future developments in the area of traceability will also be explored.