@Risk

The U.S. Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) –which has already passed the House– and a similar Senate version (S510)—which is pending –will mandate system-wide traceability in the nation’s food chain.

As a result, consumers will benefit from improved food safety, and manufacturers will gain from increased supply chain visibility and even potentially long-term profitability, according to an article Monday at Industry Week.

In “Food Traceability: The Missing Ingredient from Your Supply Chain,” Jim Burleigh, CEO, SmartTurn, takes a close look at how collecting and understanding supply chain data can drive informed decisions that, in turn, have a direct impact on:

• Supply chain management,

• Real-time visibility

• Specialized target marketing,

• Food safety,

• Quality control,

• Risk management, and ultimately

• Profitability.

Burleigh also makes the point that traceability leads to ongoing collaboration across the supplier network –something that’s particularly advantageous in the food chain, where it’s critical that recalls be accurate and efficient.

“From a food safety perspective, traceability is a necessity if businesses are to have a clear and immediate visibility into the source for food and ingredients received and more importantly, the recipients,” Burleigh writes. “This not only minimizes damages for individual companies, but protects industries and their partners from damage to reputation and sales. If the sales of unsafe items are ever made, the ability to track distribution is critical in both reducing the costs and scope of a recall.”