Produce tracking initiative Web site launched

Produce tracking initiative Web site launched The North American produce industry has launched a Web site to promote an initiative to standardize the tracking and tracing of fruits and vegetables from the field to store shelf.
   Producetraceability.org, administered by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Produce Marketing Association, and United Fresh Produce Association, includes resources and educational tools for those companies interested in learning more about the Produce Traceability Initiative.
   'There are still important industry questions that need to be answered and we plan to use the Web site as an information forum,' said Cathy Green, PTI Steering Committee chairman and Food Lion's chief operating officer, in a statement.
   Since October 2008, more than 40 companies from throughout the produce supply chain have endorsed the recommendations developed by the PTI Steering Committee to move the supply chain to a common electronic tracing standard by the end of 2012.

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   The plan involves adopting a standardized system of case bar coding for all produce sold in the United States, in order to allow product to be tracked throughout the distribution chain.
   'The plan will maximize the effectiveness of the industry's current traceability procedures, improve external efficiencies and assist public officials when they need to quickly trace back a product,' the produce associations said.