1. Kathy Means Produce Marketing Association Traceability: Linking the Supply Chain Copyright PMA 20091

2. Produce Traceability Initiative Mission: Create action plan for produce industry to adopt effective whole chain traceability through common technology and standards that link internal traceability programs Internal Traceability = each company’s own system External Traceability = data exchange between trading partners Whole-Chain Traceability = Internal + External traceability

3. Path Forward: Effective, Efficient Uses existing global, market-proven standards: GS1 Uses existing technologies: Barcodes Uses existing information: – Unique company identification number – Lot # – Pack/harvest date (optional if already in lot number) – One-step-up, one-step-down Augments (not replaces) internal systems Why not RFID? – Water inhibits effective use; produce is 90% water

4. Key Components Unique identifiers – human readable (numbers) and electronic (bar codes) Connects each link in the supply chain Common system Allows automation, eliminates manual activity Increases productivity, ensures consistency Allows database storage, information management Allows for quick access and analysis Can be extrapolated to other food industries Copyright PMA 20094

5. ORANGES Valencia 10 - 4 LB BAGS Standard Case Label (01) 10614141000415 (10) 022208ABC Standard Case Label GTINLot number

6. 1 Step Up/1 Step Down Primary Producer Processor / Packer Wholesaler / Distributor Distribution Center Retail Outlet SUPPLY CHAIN 1. Case ID (GTIN): 10577343123457 2. Lot #: 267A1156 Output Input Output Input GTIN LOT # GTIN LOT # GTIN LOT # GTIN LOT #

7. Item ID – Databar Stacked omni-directional Holds 14 characters Designed for loose produce Item-level codes – from product to producer Traceability skips all distribution links in between

8. Item-level traceability Primary Producer Processor / Packer Wholesaler / Distributor Distribution Center/Retail Outlet Consumer SUPPLY CHAIN Output Input Output Input Databar

9. Why PTI? Common, global standards Common information Common technology Expensive, but less so than other options Interest from other perishables groups www.producetraceability.org