Pre-printed Case Labels for Produce Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Produce Traceability Initiative's requirement for date- and SKU-specific labels on field-packed produce cases poses challenges due to impracticality and cost of printing in the field, as the number of labels needed is difficult to predict, leading to waste and logistical issues.
Innovation Solution
Pre-printed case labels with a common batch number and company identifier, distributed on rolls, allowing labels to be affixed to cases during or after harvest, with batch numbers and harvest event data stored for later association, enabling case-level traceability without pre-printing the harvest date.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If labels are printed in advance for field-packed produce, then labeling compliance is achieved, but significant waste of unused labels occurs and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-printing labels with common codes (company identifier, SKU, batch number) that remain valid across multiple harvest events. The variable date information is added later through stamping or manual marking at the point of use, allowing labels to be prepared in advance without wasting them. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining labeling compliance while eliminating the need to print excessive quantities of labels with predetermined dates.
Solution Approach 2:
The label information is segmented into static components (company identifier, SKU, batch number printed on the label) and dynamic components (harvest date added later via stamping or marking). This segmentation allows the label to be prepared in advance with permanent information while accommodating variable date requirements through a separate addition process, thus preventing label waste while ensuring compliance.
2Reliability
If printing labels at the cooler location is done, then labeling requirements are met, but receiving speed slows down and logistical efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Labels are pre-printed with all permanent information (company identifier, SKU, batch number) before the harvest event, allowing workers to simply affix them to cases during or after harvesting without needing to access printing equipment at the cooler. The harvest date is then added quickly through stamping or manual marking, maintaining receiving speed while ensuring compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-consuming printing process is extracted from the receiving location and performed in advance at a separate location. Only the simple tasks of label affixing and date marking remain at the cooler, eliminating the bottleneck caused by on-site printing while maintaining labeling compliance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If field packing is done without pre-printed date labels, then flexibility in harvest operations is maintained, but traceability information completeness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary printing of all traceability information except the harvest date, which is added later. This allows harvest operations to proceed with flexible label application while ensuring complete traceability information is captured through the subsequent date stamping or marking step.
Solution Approach 2:
Traceability information is segmented into permanent elements (company identifier, SKU, batch number) that can be printed in advance and variable elements (harvest date) that are added later. This segmentation maintains operational flexibility while ensuring complete traceability information is captured without requiring pre-determined dates.
Data Source
AI summary
Rolls of pre-printed case labels are distributed at a harvest for labeling the cases of packed produce. The labels on each roll include common information such as the type of produce, the packing configuration, the country of origin, the company identifier, and a SKU. Labels on the same roll include a common batch number, while labels on different rolls include different batch numbers. The company, SKU and batch numbers are subsequently associated in a database with harvest event data to provide traceability back to the harvest and forward from the harvest to those cases packed at that harvest. Optionally, each label can also include a unique code, a field to place a date stamp, and/or a field to place a ranch stamp.