IFT to launch Global Food Traceability Centre

The Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago has seen the need for a tool to increase transparency when it comes to the origin and attributes of food products, along the entire food supply chain. Food tracing is even more important now that global food supply has become complex.

At  its annual meeting, held 12 July this year, the IFT Board of Directors approved the launching of the Global Food Traceability Centre which will protect and improve global food supply. It will be the “authoritative, scientific, and unbiased source for food traceability.”

The centre fills the need for providing companies with timely product tracing solutions. It will assist in tracing the paths of products through the supply chain to improve food safety, mitigate risk and avoid  health consequences and economic impacts to the food system.

Time is of the essence when it comes to food-related problems because health and lives are at risk, as well as livelihoods of industries, companies and employees.

“We will create a focal point where industry, academic institutions, government, foundations and consumer groups can discuss, collaborate, conduct research, adopt best practices and implement practical and actionable traceability solutions for the food system, ” said IFT executive vice president Barbara Byrd Keenan.

The new organisation will be the first of its kind, as there is no private or public body that pools the efforts of stakeholders in food traceability.