Tracking tomatoes with RFID
The ongoing news about tainted tomatoes causing illness across 23 states in the U.S. has brought much public attention to the idea of tracking the origin of produce.
Weeks into the crisis, the FDA still has not pinned down the source, though it has been narrowed down to Florida and Mexico. Had tracking information been readily available, the tomato scare would likely have passed much more quickly, and many would never have gotten sick as a result of consuming the affected produce.
Many have suggested RFID tracking in particular as a solution for this type of problem. Supply-chain tracking from the grower to the retailer would have added a level of visibility to the product that could have identified with certainty where the tainted fruit originated from, and precisely when it journeyed to its final destinations.
Supply chain visibility is one of the greatest advantages to using RFID technology, and in this case could likely have prevented some of the nearly 300 cases of food-borne illness from Salmonella-infected tomatoes.
George Manolis, Senior Vice President of Operations, IES, Ltd., a supply chain software vendor quoted in a recent press release on PR-USA.net, explains that while the implementation of RFID technology in agriculture has been cost-prohibitive, the industry is ripe for the transition. According to Manolis, “there is a persistent false belief that a seventeen-cent RFID tag needs to be applied to each tomato, bringing up the cost of each individual tomato by that amount.”
He suggests simply applying RFID tags to pallets or cartons, and explains that there are now smaller chips which cost as little as five cents being used by big retailers.
The U.S. is behind on adopting RFID applications in agriculture, while some countries, such as Australia, already track produce using the technology.
Informationweek.com reports that Hawaii is getting on the RFID bandwagon, testing the tracking of produce -- including tomatoes -- from farms to distribution centers to restaurants and retailers in a three-year RFID pilot program. In the trial, RFID tags are attached to the produce boxes. Four farms are currently participating and more are expected to be added in a year.
The program is funded by the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Defense (DoD) – which launched its own RFID compliance program for its suppliers in 2003.
Would an RFID Solution help increase supply-chain visibility in your organization?
Dynamic Computer is a great source for RFID information and can help you evaluate how RFID could enhance your operation. We provide comprehensive and customized RFID solutions from concept, through testing, to implementation!
Visit the Dynamic Computer Corporation Web site or call 248-473-2200. We offer an RFID Demo tour where you can experience the technology in action! You can visit us and request a tour of our facility at 23400 Industrial Park Court, Farmington Hills, MI 48335.
Weeks into the crisis, the FDA still has not pinned down the source, though it has been narrowed down to Florida and Mexico. Had tracking information been readily available, the tomato scare would likely have passed much more quickly, and many would never have gotten sick as a result of consuming the affected produce.
Many have suggested RFID tracking in particular as a solution for this type of problem. Supply-chain tracking from the grower to the retailer would have added a level of visibility to the product that could have identified with certainty where the tainted fruit originated from, and precisely when it journeyed to its final destinations.
Supply chain visibility is one of the greatest advantages to using RFID technology, and in this case could likely have prevented some of the nearly 300 cases of food-borne illness from Salmonella-infected tomatoes.
George Manolis, Senior Vice President of Operations, IES, Ltd., a supply chain software vendor quoted in a recent press release on PR-USA.net, explains that while the implementation of RFID technology in agriculture has been cost-prohibitive, the industry is ripe for the transition. According to Manolis, “there is a persistent false belief that a seventeen-cent RFID tag needs to be applied to each tomato, bringing up the cost of each individual tomato by that amount.”
He suggests simply applying RFID tags to pallets or cartons, and explains that there are now smaller chips which cost as little as five cents being used by big retailers.
The U.S. is behind on adopting RFID applications in agriculture, while some countries, such as Australia, already track produce using the technology.
Informationweek.com reports that Hawaii is getting on the RFID bandwagon, testing the tracking of produce -- including tomatoes -- from farms to distribution centers to restaurants and retailers in a three-year RFID pilot program. In the trial, RFID tags are attached to the produce boxes. Four farms are currently participating and more are expected to be added in a year.
The program is funded by the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Defense (DoD) – which launched its own RFID compliance program for its suppliers in 2003.
Would an RFID Solution help increase supply-chain visibility in your organization?
Dynamic Computer is a great source for RFID information and can help you evaluate how RFID could enhance your operation. We provide comprehensive and customized RFID solutions from concept, through testing, to implementation!
Visit the Dynamic Computer Corporation Web site or call 248-473-2200. We offer an RFID Demo tour where you can experience the technology in action! You can visit us and request a tour of our facility at 23400 Industrial Park Court, Farmington Hills, MI 48335.
posted by Dynamic News at
2:25 PM
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