It is difficult to overstate the importance of maintaining a system which maximizes effective and accurate food traceability. Certainly, failure can and has resulted in financial disaster and bankruptcy for even the largest of companies. Alternatively, having a system in place which ensures accurate traceability can make the difference between the continued success and the catastrophic end of any business.
In addition to new initiatives by USDA, the FDA has similarly recognized the importance of traceability, and focused much of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s changes on improving traceability in all foods, but especially produce. There is also the industry-led Produce Traceability Initiative, which has been developed to ensure that companies are maximizing the effectiveness of traceback procedures. It is also working to institute an industry-wide approach to bolster the efficiency of traceability systems across the produce industry.