• Product Identification Standards
• Automated Data Capture
• E-Commerce
• Data Synchronization
• Traceability

Technology & Standards: Traceability

Due to regulatory requirements such as the U.S. Bioterrorism Act, as well as ongoing food safety issues and the need for more information, traceability has become an issue of great importance to the produce industry.

In October 2002, PMA formed an alliance with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) to create a task force to research the requirements around traceability and to create Best Practices as contained in the Fresh Produce: A Guide To Implementation (available below). Additionally, a pilot study was conducted on the validation of the guidelines contained in that document.

In January 2008, representatives from over 40 companies and 8 trade associations formed the Produce Traceability Initiative to begin working on an action plan to ensure the industry has a process that will work for the entire supply chain. Cliff notes from each meeting of the Initiative are posted below and available for your review and input.

For additional information on why chain-wide, electronic traceability is necessary, there is a three-part series of audio briefings now available on the Ask Dr. Bob Whitaker page.

Produce Traceability Initiative Action Plan Endorsement

A number of companies have publically endorsed the Produce Traceability Initiative Final Action Plan and professed their intent to execute the milestones and corresponding timelines.

As a buyer, seller or distributor of produce, if your company wishes to add their name to the list of those who have endorsed the Action Plan, please send an email to Christina Pierce indicating your company's desire to endorse the plan. Please include your full contact information including the correct spelling of your company's name. Please note that by endorsing the plan, you are giving the trade associations the right to include your company's endorsement in any public venue, including but not limited to press releases, conference sessions and on various websites.

Related Documents (PDF)

Produce Traceability Initiative Action Plan   -  10/14/2008
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.

Produce Traceability Initiative Action Plan Launch Press Release   -  10/09/2008
34 Supply Chain Leaders Endorse Plan for Chain-wide Electronic Produce Traceability

GTIN Questions and Answers   -  09/19/2008
Questions and answers regarding GTIN and lot number assignment.

Produce Traceability Initiative Cliff Notes - August 20, 2008 Meeting   -  09/16/2008
Cliff notes from the final meeting held on 8/20/08 for Produce Traceability Initiative.

Best Practices on Case Labeling   -  09/16/2008
This best practices document outlines the outcome of the Case Label Subgroup of the Produce Traceability Initiative.

Traceability Frequently Asked Questions   -  08/13/2008
Q&A document on the Produce Industry Traceability Solution

Produce Traceability Initiative Cliff Notes - June 12, 2008   -  07/11/2008
Cliff notes from Traceability meeting held in June 2008.

GTIN Assignment Strategy   -  07/11/2008
A strategy recommended by PMA for produce companies to assign GTIN numbers at the case level.

Pallet & Case Coding: Best Practices   -  05/05/2008
Many segments of the distribuion network are determining ways to make supply chain integration more efficient. A key component of this is case and pallet coding. This document underscores the fresh produce industry's need to mark pallets and cases with bar codes, provides direction on what standardized data is relevant & gives examples of best practices.

Produce Traceability Initiative Cliff Notes - April 11, 2008   -  05/01/2008
Cliff Notes from April 2008 Traceability Initiative Meeting

Pallet Label Presentation   -  04/29/2008
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.

Produce Traceability Initiative Cliff Notes - February 22, 2008   -  04/07/2008
Cliff notes of February meeting of Produce Traceability Initiative.

Produce Traceability Initiative Cliff Notes - January 9, 2008   -  01/22/2008
Cliff notes from first Produce Traceability Initiative meeting

PMA/CPMA Fresh Produce Traceability Guide to Implementation   -  09/11/2007
Version 2 of PMA/CPMA Traceability Guide to Implementation

Traceability - A Forgotten Piece of Food Safety   -  04/13/2007
Traceability and food safety

Summary of Records Establishment and Maintenance Regulation   -  09/12/2006
PMA prepared a summary of the Records Establishment/ Maintenance section of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. This is available to PMA members only.