Agrifood logistics and food traceability

Traceability systems are recordkeeping systems designed to track the flow of product and/or product attributes through the production process and throughout the supply chain from producers to consumers. The aim of this study is to review the current status of traceability systems in food companies, compare different traceablity systems applied by food companies, and analyse the sources of variation in their efficiency. A traceability system is characterized by its breadth, depth, and precision. Differences in efficiency are attributed to the costs and benefits of traceability’s implementation to these three traceabiligy characteristics. Three case studies were conducted during the period April-May 2005. All cases were large food companies, with more than 250 employees, and operating for more than 20 years in Greece. All companies had a traceability system in operation. All companies had implemented a traceability system not because legislation required, but because they found it was a valuable business tool. In the operation level, the main problem was whether or not suppliers could provide traceability information in a useful format. All companies reported the same benefits from the traceability system: Better control of supply chain as well as better quality assurance –higher levels of food quality & safety