Three Critical Components of Product Traceability in the Food and Beverage Supply Chain

The safety and security of the food supply has never been more important than it is today. An increase in concern about contamination, allergies/ allergens, terrorist threats and food-borne illnesses such as Mad Cow Disease and Bird Flu, makes precise management of ingredients and product whereabouts essential. Driven largely by regulation in the pharmaceutical industry, the Food and Drug Administration has increased regulations for food and beverage production and distribution. While these changes have emerged to protect consumers and prevent scares - both real and hypothetical - the manufacturers and retailers of these products must now impose a variety of costly changes in their supply chain operations.