How can today’s overstretched Operations and Technical Managers in the food sector leverage their traceability system and tag suppliers to raise standards?
With fast-paced changes in technology, it’s almost impossible to simply stick with tried and tested ways of working. And that’s not a bad thing. Adopting a Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset when it comes to traceability is essential, not only to keep up with legislation but to maintain production efficiency too.
In this article we look at some of the measures food manufacturers are taking to ensure their traceability systems are robust:
Taking Advantage of Technology
- QR codes and barcodes:
We are seeing traditional barcodes on traceability tags being replaced with QR codes. Since QR codes store more data and don’t need specialist scanning hardware, they have leapfrogged barcodes for many smaller and new entrants to the food sector.
Furthermore, QR codes have the advantage of being consumer-friendly, meaning that traceability information can be streamlined from farm to fork. Increasing traceability transparency with QR code labels will lead to growing consumer trust in your brand.
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID):
Switching to RFID tags can mean a significant investment in hardware. However, the benefits that RFID technology brings (for example, accuracy, ease and time saving), will be significant for large food manufacturers.
Although RFID tags are by no means new in traceability labelling, more businesses are seriously exploring the option as they recognise the potential efficiency gains and savings in lost stock.
Standardisation Across Systems and Sites
Often one of the simplest and most economical ways to improve your traceability is to switch from handwritten traceability tags to printed tags. More food manufacturers are recognising that improving accuracy and consistency across their operation facilitates better tracking and tracing. 
Whether you are responsible for a single site or a multi-site operation, consistency of traceability systems and tag supply throughout your organisation can improve efficiency. Sharing knowledge across sites and reaping the benefits on central buying can make good business sense.
Additionally, adopting Global standards such as those developed by GS1, can standardise traceability data formats and protocols for a more robust system.
Communication & Collaboration Across Supply Partners
Improving knowledge, transparency, and collaboration across your network of suppliers can greatly improve overall traceability performance.
Some traceability tag manufacturers, like Piroto Labelling, already have strong relationships with traceability software developers and traceability tag printer manufacturers. These close working relationships bring knowledge sharing and co-creation opportunities, ultimately leading to superior food traceability systems for the customer.
Moreover, choosing a traceability tag partner that routinely undertakes self-audits and shares your CI mindset, rather than simply selling you tags, will prove a valuable resource.
Business Improvement and Pilot Testing
Those businesses that remain open to innovative ideas from their suppliers and keep ahead of changing legislation reap the benefits. Some regularly conduct their own traceability system audits; others enlist the help of supply partners, who share any recommendations that emerge.
It’s important to pilot modifications to your traceability tags or systems before rolling them out to your wider operation. Whilst these small-scale tests can sometimes seem time-consuming, they are often the source of significant improvements. Gather feedback from all stakeholders throughout your operation before full implementation.
Learn From Mistakes
Quality issues do happen, traceability tags malfunction, systems go down, and printers jam; it’s a fact of life. By choosing traceability supply partners you not only trust but who are responsive when problems occur, you can minimise the impact of any issues. Suppliers that have robust quality assurance checks in place and a transparent approach to solving quality issues can prove to be valuable allies.
The Piroto team has an extensive knowledge of food traceability systems, which helps us produce the best labels and tags for our customers’ unique operations. We’d love to visit your operation to see how our traceability labelling expertise could help you.