PILOT
FoodTRACE is about to launch a pilot program. This follows the live test that was done in September of 2009 which validated the system and demonstrated the capability to exceed all upcoming legislation as detailed in HR2749 and SB510. We are looking for industry participants including growers, grower/shippers, buying brokers, consolidators, distributors, retailers, foodservice companies, jobbers, terminal market operators and other food handlers.
You can currently subscribe for updates regarding our pilot as they become available.
SUBSCRIBE
The FoodTRACE® system will allow your company to comply with all proposed legislation contained in HR2749 which passed in the House of Representatives last year and also in SB510 which is expected to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote very soon.
The FoodTRACE® system is an alternative to the PTI. It is also an enhancement to those companies that choose to use the PTI in order to make them fully compliant with the above mentioned legislation, which the PTI in itself does not fully accomplish.
The time period for set up can vary by company, but our experience is that you can be up-and-running with full system usage within 1-2 weeks from commitment. The determination of information requirements and data transfer protocols typically require between 4 and 8 man hours. This can and is typically done remotely, via teleconference or screen share.
The running time period for this pilot is for six months of participation by your company.
Our approach was tested in September of 2009 and the results can be viewed on our website at http://www.usfoodtrace.com, under the heading “Information”, sub-heading “Reports” and it is the first report listed.
APPROACH – (Details on each of these steps can be viewed on our website under “Services” heading, sub-heading “Traceability”
Step 1 – Data Selection and Criteria
This can be done without visiting your offices in most cases. A specific individual in your company is designated to manage the setup of the FoodTRACE system. This is typically someone in the IT department as it primarily involves discussions regarding current reports, formats and data fields that your company utilizes and the types of information within those reports. The purpose is to establish the data fields needed to adequately validate the information required for traceability. It is typical that there are numerous reports from which specific information will be determined as CTEs (Critical Tracking Elements) and KDEs (Key Data Elements). Once these have been determined, the data selection step is complete. This process generally is started and completed in the same day
Step 2 – Method of Transmission
This step involves getting a simple understanding of the level of technology used within your company. There are several methods with which transmission of data can occur between your company and FoodTRACE. The most commonly used is EDI (Electronic Data Interface). FoodTRACE can also accept email, fax and voice transmissions. Fax and voice are cumbersome, time consuming and subject to higher error rates than EDI and E-Mail. If you are a small size company that does work heavily with fax or voice transmissions, FoodTRACE can assist you in implementing the capability for you to transmit electronically. This can be done at little or no cost to your company depending on your current status and your requirements.
Step 3 – Dataflow Analysis Period
Following the selection of data and the method of transmission, FoodTRACE utilizes a 30 day data analysis period to evaluate data exchange, timing and mapping into the FoodTRACE standard for CTEs. This permits changes that may need to be made prior to going operational with your account. Typically these are very few if any, and minor. This 30 day period allows for both your company and FoodTRACE to determine that data being transmitted is in the proper format and insures that the traceability requisites are being met. This period also allows for any discussions or questions that you may have regarding the system and the flow of information.
Step 4 – Operational Access
Following the analysis period all access to your FoodTRACE account is now fully operational. Established passwords and security levels are implemented to insure access is limited to only those individuals in your company having been pre-selected. Operational access allows authorized personnel within your company to access the information that has been uploaded by your company. Those pre-selected individuals can then view that information through a variety of reporting capabilities through a query system within FoodTRACE.
Step 5 – On going pilot project review with participants
During the course of the pilot program, communications will be maintained so that all parties have the opportunity to provide input, questions and comments regarding the pilot. It is in the best interest of all to have a full understanding of what is happening during the pilot as well as the impact it is having regarding current traceability concerns either internally in your company or with recalls, events or associated areas brought to our attention by the FDA, CDC or any other authorized government agency.
Step 6 – Review and analysis of pilot project upon company completion
Upon completion of the pilot by all companies a comprehensive report will be written detailing the pilot, the objectives and the level of success achieved by the pilot program. This report will be made available to all participants in the program and input will be requested by participants prior to submission of the report to the FDA, USDA and other authorized government agencies. The participants will have the option to have their names included in the index of the report if they so choose or they can remain anonymous
Cost of the Pilot Project: The cost to your company to participate in this pilot will not exceed $3,000.00 for the entire 6 month period. As we expect to get a variety of company types we also will get a variety of company sizes. All companies with less than $25 million in annual sales will get a rate less than $3,000 based on their annual sales volume estimate supplied to us at the time of commitment.
Benefits to participants:
- Achieve the ability to meet and exceed government requirements at a very low cost
- The fully electronic FoodTRACE® system means minimal intrusion into your company’s current structure. No numbers to buy, no software to buy, no modifications needed to your current software, no hardware to buy, no additional personnel required.
- A one-year reduced fee for your company following the completion of the pilot program if you choose to continue without interruption.
- Ability to have your voice heard by FDA, USDA, and other authorized government agencies and aid in establishing and getting acceptance by these agencies for the FoodTRACE® program.
- Resolve the area of traceability once and for all at a low monthly cost with no maintenance or upkeep required other than your own internal requirements.
How do we get started? Dozens of companies have expressed an interest and followed the FoodTRACE® program for some time. This pilot is the next logical step following our previously mentioned test in order to fully validate our system for application to the food industry.
Click here to subscribe for pilot updates: SUBSCRIBE