Not offical Chill-On blog

With the U.S. Congress back in session, there is hope that work on food safety legislation will soon pick up steam. One of the issues that will be part of that discussion is “traceability.” In the food safety context, the term is meant to refer to the ability to track specific food within the chain of distribution, preferably from “farm to fork.”

There are currently federal regulations on the books regarding traceability. It is not clear, however, that these regulations are sufficient, or that they are being adhered to. A focus on improved traceability will benefit all stakeholders in the food safety discussion (isn’t that everyone?).

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The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) is an industry-wide effort chartered by the Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Produce Association, and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, and is aimed at creating a traceability process that will enable the quick and efficient electronic tracking and tracing of produce cases between supply chain members.

TraceGains, Inc., the leader in affordable turnkey Produce Traceability Initiative compliance and traceability software solutions, is proud to announce that Barcode Graphics has joined its reseller and service provider partner program, to be able to implement and support PTI-compliant printing, labeling, and traceability solutions.

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No one can say mushroom grower-shippers have put food safety on the back burner.

The industry has come up with its own commodity-specific good agricultural practices — known as MGAP — and many companies are meeting the milestones put forth in the Produce Traceability Initiative.

“The food safety angle is always on your mind,” said Gary Schroeder, director of Dole Mushrooms and president of Oakshire Mushroom Farm Inc., Kennett Square, Pa. “It becomes part of every decision you make.”

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