Global Food Traceability Center And Trace One Come Together In The Interest Of Food Safety
By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online
Trace One’s partnership with IFT’S Global Food Traceability Center is expected to provide new insight and fresh thinking to greatly improve worldwide food traceability
Sharing a commitment to further food safety on a global level, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) announces its partnership with Trace One, the newest sponsor for IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC).
As the world focuses on the many issues of food safety, the FDA is opening the lines of communication in order to draft the final rules of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Additionally, as the global food supply chain grows to accommodate the world’s ever-expanding population, the need for international awareness prompts the necessity for a global forum. IFT’s vision induced its Board of Directors to approve the launch of the GFTC, with its goal being to “become the global resource and authoritative voice on food traceability.” GFTC’s Concept Paper outlines the center’s purposes and objectives, while its Prospectus for Innovation describes the process by which interested organizations across the globe can become involved.
GFTC’s Founding Sponsor Organizations include some of the most common household names in the food chain. However, some may not be so well known, because the work they do is in the trenches and not in the public spotlight. The Global Food Traceability Center’s Founding Sponsor organizations, prior to Trace One’s sponsorship are, alphabetically: Cargill, Eurofins, FMI Foundation, Global Cold Chain Alliance, GS1 US, International Association for Food Protection, Intertek Group, Lyngsoe Systems, Mars Inc., National Center for Food Protection and Defense, Seafood Industry Research Fund, PepsiCo, Produce Marketing Association, University of Guelph, Walmart, and Wegmans Food Markets.
Trace One, ranked among Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 in Nov, 2013, launched the first-of-its-kind platform for internet-based collaboration for private-label products in 2001. Then, in 2005, Trace One acquired Catalogic software, a France-based company associated with some of the biggest names in fast-moving consumer goods. Names such as Coca-Cola and Sara Lee opened doors that were previously closed for Trace One. Its meteoric rise began shortly afterwards, as it expanded its product lifecycle management (PLM) coverage. In 2012, Trace One opened new headquarters in Boston, MA. American retailers such as Walgreens and Safeway joined the ever-growing family of private label brands jumping on the Trace One bandwagon.
Food Traceability: Solving The Imperative Of Compliance
Trace One’s software solutions are advancing the efficiency of food traceability through such programs as its private label PLM Suite and T.Transparency, a software program created to improve supply chain network monitoring. Launched in Feb, 2014 in response to consumer expectations and faltering consumer confidence, T. Transparency is a cloud-based solution designed to improve supply-chain visibility and greatly improve food supply chain collaboration. Trace-back time is minimized, while brand image is protected and brand loyalty reinforced. Manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers are able to connect efficiently in the event of contamination or adulteration and are able to more quickly respond to consumer concerns.
Software solutions, such as Trace One’s T. Transparency, are already proving to eliminate waste and improve efficiency within the global supply chain. With consumers clamoring for a more transparent, efficient, and safer food supply chain, it may behoove one to stop thinking of software as a “pricey” option, but as a “priceless” opportunity.