FoodTRACE

The source, the origin of the product, the first steps.  This is where traceability leads to in all events.  It doesn’t mean that this is where the problem originated but any event will insure the implication of the brand owner.  An event as seen by the FDA and CDC is 2 or more illnesses from the same pathogen.  The source of the product is always necessary in order to insure that there is proper traceability of all implicated products.  If 10 shippers ship a product and only 1 of them has a problem, how are the other 9 protected or exonerated?  By accurate information as quickly as possible.  That is what FoodTRACE does.  With the ability of FoodTRACE to trace fully forward and fully back from any point in the supply chain, we can assist our clients in quickly determining their level or potential level of either implication or exoneration.  If you shipped 1,000 cartons to 10 states but illnesses are only occuring in 1 state that you shipped to…that’s valuable information for FDA and CDC to know.  With a high level of client compliance FoodTRACE can assist in early determination of a problem and help to pinpoint ground zero of an event.  Did 100% of the spinach in 2006 have E-Coli?  Of course not, but 100% of the supply was shut down.  Were other companies than PCA involved in the peanut recalls?  No, but every company that produced peanut products suffered significant losses due to lack of initial defnition of the problem.  How many tainted tomatoes were found in the Salmonella Saintpaul event of 2008?  ZERO, but the industry suffered between $100 and $250 MILLION in losses because of the lack of quick, timely and accessible information.  Was it necessary to shut down the entire pistachio industry in 2009?  No, but because of the minimal information the FDA had, that was the result.  Remember Chilean Grapes tainted with cyanide?  That’s agroterrorism. What if a disgruntled worker simply makes a phone call of accusation?  It could be acted on.  When the e-coli spinach event happened, not only did consumers stop buying spinach, they slowed purchasing of other vegetable items, it impacted numerous associated salad products as well.  We cannot eliminate problems from occuring – but we now can take a firm and positive step to reducing their impact and minimizing your exposure.   There is always more to be done in the area of food safety, no one argues that point.  For traceability, it is necessary and required by law, but it doesn’t have to be expensive.  The FoodTRACE system will allow you to put your money, time and effort into areas to improve on the products, expansion, development and other areas you need to….we’ll handle the traceability area for you.  It is not called upon often, but when it is, it can obviously have significant impact.