Advances in traceability systems in agri-food supply chains

Publication date: 06/12/2021
Extent: 26 pages

Contributions by: Samantha Islam, University of Cambridge, UK; Louise Manning, Royal Agricultural University, UK; and Jonathan M. Cullen, University of Cambridge, UK

Chapter synopsis: Failure to deliver safe and high-quality food reduces consumer confidence in the food industry and results in costly food crises, foodborne illnesses and disruption to food supply chains. Recent advances in traceability systems, and associated identification and communication technologies hold the potential to ensure food quality and safety by managing effective traceability throughout the food supply chains. However, deficits in various factors e.g., resources, awareness, training, standards, data management and technology scaling impede exploitation of these cutting-edge traceability technologies. This chapter provides a review of the advances in agri-food traceability systems and technologies, barriers to their implementations, and possible improvement pathways and policy interventions to promote deployment of advanced food traceability systems.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2021.0097.01