Produce Traceability via Unique Identifier Labels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and global supply chain for fresh produce makes it slow and cumbersome to identify the source of contaminated products, hindering prompt remedial action and public confidence restoration.
Innovation Solution
A method involving unique codes on labels for harvested produce, which are associated with harvest information, allowing for traceability from field to consumer through marking loose bulk produce and item-level packaging, enabling quick identification of contaminated sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional supply chain tracking methods are used for fresh produce, then the supply chain can operate with existing infrastructure, but identifying the source of contaminated produce becomes slow and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the produce supply chain into discrete unit-level segments by assigning unique identifiers to individual items or packages. This segmentation enables precise tracking of each unit through the supply chain, allowing rapid identification of contaminated sources without requiring complex centralized monitoring of entire batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by assigning unique identifiers to produce items at the point of harvest or packaging, before the produce enters the complex supply chain. This advance tagging ensures that traceability information is already attached to each item, eliminating the need for complex retrospective tracking systems.
2Reliability
If unit-level traceability is implemented for all produce, then rapid identification of contaminated sources is enabled, but the labeling and tracking process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traceability function from complex centralized systems and embeds it directly into individual produce items through unique identifiers. This extraction simplifies the overall system by distributing the tracking capability to each unit rather than requiring a complex centralized database to track every item.
Solution Approach 2:
The unique identifier system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides unit-level identification, enables traceability through the supply chain, and facilitates rapid contamination source identification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby reducing overall complexity.
3Loss of information
If harvest information is recorded and associated with unique codes, then traceability from field to consumer is enabled, but the process of labeling and record-keeping becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the labeling process with the harvest information recording process. By associating unique identifiers directly with harvest data at the point of assignment, the system combines what would otherwise be separate operations into a single integrated process, reducing the time required for both labeling and record-keeping while ensuring complete information retention.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods allow units of produce to be traced back to the fields in which the produce was grown. In the field, a harvest form is completed with harvest information at the time of the harvest. In some instances, labels having unique codes are used to label the produce in the field, and an additional label is placed on the harvest form to associate a range of unique codes for an entire roll of labels with the harvest information on the form. In the alternative, the label can be read, such as with a hand-held device and associated with harvest information also entered through the hand-held device.