Proceedings Volume 2010 (format .pdf) - SimpBTH

concern for public health, therefore limiting negative media exposure andperhaps even turning it positive; minimize the size of a recall and reduce the cost incurred in recovering ordisposing of products in the marketplace; diagnose problems in production and determine liability where relevant —traceability can help resolve process problems and determine third-partyresponsibility if records show that an ingredient supplier or co-packer wasthe source of the recalled ingredient. Although the manufacturer of thefinal product is still responsible for the recall, complete records tracingingredients to their sources may allow seeking indemnification fromresponsible third parties.Fig.1 Consumers associations with food traceability issued from focus groupsDue to a number of factors, food safety and quality have been issues ofgrowing importance in the last few years. As a result a number of informationtechnology supported tracking and tracing and quality assurance systems have beendeveloped. Most of the existing solutions focus on a certain production chain or apart of a chain. That kind of setting can currently be handled. However, changes insupply chain configurations and interconnections between chains lead to thetransformation of the linear structure into a highly dynamic food sector network.To achieve appropriate transparency across the whole food sector, differenttracking and tracing systems have to be interconnected. There is currently nosatisfying solution available that is up to this task. One of the objectives of theTransparent Food project is thus to create a blueprint proposal for a European298