HarvestMark Traceability Labels
For the past year, we have been working to promote the benefits of implementing a traceability system for fresh fruits and vegetables. Our role in the traceability chain is providing the custom label for fresh fruit and vegetables that contain the traceability information about the commodity via a 2D barcode. We are a certified HarvestMark traceability provider, which gives us the opportunity to work with the premiere traceability solution.
It looks like the law will soon require growers, packers, etc. to implement a traceability system, which will require traceability labels. The benefits of traceability labeling far outweigh the cost of adopting a system.
For starters, one “bad apple” can truly spoil the bunch. If even one grower has a food safety issue, that commodity could be wiped out for at least a season, if not more. Remember the tomato outbreak? Tomatoes weren’t even the cause yet they felt the brunt of the backlash. If you are using a traceability system, you can quickly prove to consumers that your products are not part of a food borne illness outbreak, protecting your brand, product and profits.
If everyone used a traceability system, food outbreaks would be reduced and contained because it would be much easier to trace-back potentially contaminated product. This strengthens the entire industry and gives consumers confidence in the products they are purchasing.
Fresh fruit and vegetable traceability shouldn’t be scary. It is a good thing that will only improve the industry. Yes, it will cost money to implement a traceability system, and yes, you may have to change some of your packaging/record keeping, but in the end, wouldn’t you rather protect your brand and your product then risk a season-ending outbreak? If your competitors are using traceability labels, so should you. You don’t want to take the blame for an outbreak simply because you can’t prove you weren’t involved.
Tags: 2D barcode labels, custom labels, fruit labels, traceability labels, vegetable labels
