Produce Traceability Initiative

The produce industry has endorsed the Produce Traceability Initiative to build better transparency, a common framework for standardized case labeling, and streamlined connectivity across the supply chain. Recognizing that each member of the supply chain will already have its own internal traceability system, this “go forward” solution calls for adapting those systems to include, at a minimum, common pieces of information that can be tracked among them.

With Lowry Secure Visibility, the needed connectivity can be achieved by including those pieces of information on every case of produce, and tracking that information as the case moves through each link in the supply chain.  With this GS1 standardized case coding solution, the produce cartons can be read by any company across the supply chain and retained electronically by all the companies handling the package.

Built GS1 BarCode and EPCglobal RFID standards, Lowry Secure Visibility is a set of electronic data collection and inventory management applications developed to comply with these emerging guidelines.

What is the PTI?
Source: www.unitedfresh.org

The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) is an industry-led effort to enhance traceability throughout the entire produce supply chain. The Initiative’s sponsor associations include United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh), Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and Produce Marketing Association (PMA). The PTI Action Plan outlines the steps for achieving traceability at the case-level by 2012.

Both internal and external traceability programs are needed in order to effectively track and trace product up and down the supply chain, achieving whole-chain traceability. At present, most companies have “internal” traceability programs, but not “external” traceability programs.

• Internal Traceability = confidential or proprietary data and processes companies use within their own span of operations to track/trace product.
• External Traceability = the data exchange and business processes that take place between trading partners to track/trace product.
• Whole-Chain Traceability = Internal + External traceability.

The PTI uses a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to achieve external traceability. A GTIN number includes a GS1 company prefix that can be readily incorporated into a UPC barcode and works with RFID or human readable codes. It also includes a unique item reference number. The “GTIN Assignment Strategy” has been created specifically for helping suppliers ensure consistency when assigning GTIN’s to the cases by using standard product attributes to organize and categorize products for GTIN assignment. Similarly, to ensure that one label can be used for the entire industry, a standard case label template has also been created as a result of the GTIN Produce Pilot conducted in the fall of 2006.

Background

January 2008, the PTI Steering Committee, made up of representatives from more than 40 companies spanning a broad cross section of the produce supply chain including retailers, foodservice buyers and produce suppliers, began developing the Produce Traceability Initiative.

The Steering Committee’s goal was to develop an action plan to help the industry implement a consistent, whole-chain traceability solution. This Action Plan was announced October 7, 2008.

Cliff Notes from Produce Traceability Initiative Steering Committee:

• June 12, 2008
• April 11, 2008
• February 22, 2008
• January 9, 2008

Related Documents from PMA
Source: www.pma.com

	Produce Traceability Initiative Action Plan As part of the Produce Traceability Initiative, this plan, prepared and endorsed by industry leaders in September 2008, was launched by PMA, CPMA and UFPA in October 2008.	10/14/2008
	Produce Traceability Initiative Action Plan Launch Press Release 34 Supply Chain Leaders Endorse Plan for Chain-wide Electronic Produce Traceability	10/09/2008
	GTIN Questions and Answers  Questions and answers regarding GTIN and lot number assignment.	09/19/2008
	Best Practices on Case Labeling This best practices document outlines the outcome of the Case Label Subgroup of the Produce Traceability Initiative.	09/16/2008
	Traceability Frequently Asked Questions Q&A document on the Produce Industry Traceability Solution	08/13/2008
	GTIN Assignment Strategy A strategy recommended by PMA for produce companies to assign GTIN numbers at the case level.	07/11/2008
	Pallet Label Presentation   Addresses the ability to read one pallet label for inbound receiving without having to read every single case and without having to electronically send the information contained on the pallet label ahead of time.	04/29/2008
	PMA/CPMA Fresh Produce Traceability Guide to Implementation Version 2 of PMA/CPMA Traceability Guide to Implementation	09/11/2007
	Traceability - A Forgotten Piece of Food Safety  Traceability and food safety	04/13/2007