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RFID-Enabled Traceability in the Food Supply Chain
Abstract and Figures
Purpose
This paper aims to study the main requirements of traceability and examine how the technology of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can address these requirements. It further seeks to outline both an information data model and a system architecture that will make traceability feasible and easily deployable across a supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The design research approach is followed, associating traceability requirements to a proposed system design.
Findings
The technological approach used has great implications in relation to the cost associated with a traceability system and the ease of its deployment.
Research limitations/implications
Validation of the proposed information data model and system architecture is required through practical deployment in different settings.
Practical implications
The paper provides practitioners with insight on how RFID technology can meet traceability requirements and what technological approach is more appropriate.
Originality/value
Food quality has become an important issue in the last decade. However, achieving end‐to‐end traceability across the supply chain is currently quite a challenge from a technical, a co‐ordination and a cost perspective. The paper contributes by suggesting a specific technological approach, exploiting the new possibilities provided by RFID technology, to address these issues.
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... The challenge with this type of TS is that it is time-consuming [23]. Furthermore, with such a TS, it is difficult to synchronise data from different stakeholders along the supply chain, thereby increasing the chance of data loss and mismanagement [24]. ...
... Their framework is integrated with QR codes and smart contracts, ensuring the integrity of halal foods is maintained in the supply chain, free from contamination. Furthermore, several researchers including Duan et al. [32], Kelepouris et al. [24], Mosquera and Piedra [33], Tan and Ngan [26] and Wang et al. [34] have developed frameworks for the integration of technologies such as RFID and blockchain into supply chains to enhance traceability. ...
... The challenges for the different TSs depicted in Figure 3 are presented in Table 1. [15,35,71] One of the main challenges stakeholders face, especially those located upstream of the supply chain, when deciding to adopt a full TS is affordability [24]. This is especially true for digital traceability solutions (Level 3 and Level 4). ...
Digital technologies are essential tools that enable traceability in supply chains. In low-income countries, traceability represents a challenge due to the complicated structure of supply chains and the involvement of multiple stakeholders. This research developed a framework for a digital traceability system (TS), using the Ethiopian coffee supply chain as a case study. A literature review was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of state-of-the-art digital traceability technologies. A logistics audit was conducted to map the coffee supply chain in Ethiopia and evaluate the implementation level of traceability technologies. Although the implementation of traceability technologies in the Ethiopian coffee supply chain is low, the results revealed that the usage of traceability technologies improves downstream of the supply chain. The traceability framework developed in this study ranges from a paper-based TS to a fully digitalised TS. The implementation of a TS in the coffee supply chain of Ethiopia is met with several challenges such as affordability, limited awareness, resistance of certain stakeholders, infrastructure limitations, restricted accessibility of some technologies and insufficient policy frameworks. Stakeholders from low-income countries can use the framework developed in this study to adopt a TS for their supply chains in line with their needs and current digitalisation levels.
... Lin et al. (2020) further emphasized that Blockchain can allow purchasing managers to monitor all online information in real-time, pinpointing individual contaminated products without the need to recall all the associated products. Kelepouris et al. (2007) add that a traceability information system can reduce recall costs since precise identification of recalled product lots reduces expenses related to lost sales, product disposals, and damage to the company's reputation. Bhatt et al. (2013) emphasize that an investigation based on upstream traceability involves documenting the distribution paths of products from different locations to ascertain if there is a point of convergence in the chain, e.g., an expected date and location of the harvest or processing. ...
... Table 2 summarizes the comparison between traceability aspects related to B1 and B2 cases. It is worth noting that, the role of traceability in reducing costs related to damage to a company's market reputation, as suggested by Kelepouris et al. (2007), was not explicitly mentioned by the interviewees. However, B2 and retailers do share concerns about sourcing animals from illegal areas to protect their brand's image. ...
Complex food supply chains face increasing risks that can affect product quality and safety, which can all lead to recalls. This paper analyzes the role that traceability plays in the different stages of beef recall management. A case study was conducted in two beef supply chains and stakeholders from these chains were interviewed. Content analysis was performed using QDA Miner software. The results are summarized into a framework that describes the role of traceability before, during, and after a recall. In total, 18 roles were identified, including reevaluating partnerships with suppliers. Some of these results had not previously been discussed in the literature. The findings indicate that both the target market segment and company size are key factors influencing the level of investment in traceability. Traceability is an increasingly essential aspect of the beef supply chain, yet empirical studies exploring this from various levels and stakeholder perspectives are limited. This study provides insights for professionals in the food supply chain helping them understand the various roles that food traceability plays in managing potential recalls.
... Several technologies were discussed by the authors, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), barcodes, and alphanumeric codes. In addition, Kelepouris et al. [79] debated the 'practical circumstances of using RFID in food chain tracking'. ...
Recognizing the interdisciplinary debate about the digital devices and infrastructure needed to support the emergence and viability of smart cities, the latter can be considered one of the most challenging topics within recent decades due to its relevant role in supporting and enhancing citizens’ participation in public management. Using a deductive approach, in this paper, we propose a sustainability-based conceptual framework to support both policymakers and managers in better understanding at which level to act to improve citizens’ engagement as a way to ensure sustainable development in smart cities. The purpose of this paper is to explore how citizens’ involvement in smart cities can be steered toward positive attitudes and behaviors within the context of sustainable development. Drawing on a managerial perspective, we aim to provide preliminary reflections about the key role that digital technologies on which smart cities are based can play in promoting effective sustainable development for all.
... Innovative applications of RFID technology extend to tracking and monitoring crucial aspects of agricultural processes, as demonstrated by Aguzzi et al. [151] and Kim et al. [152] in developing RFID tracking solutions for studying the emergence patterns of marine crustaceans. Additionally, the implementation of RFID for ensuring traceability in food supply chains, explored by Kelepouris et al. [153], and Ruan et al. [154], highlights its role in enhancing transparency and efficiency in agricultural production and distribution. The seamless integration of RFID technology into smart agriculture IoT systems streamlines data collection and management, paving the way for enhanced operational efficiency and decision-making in modern farming. ...
The emerging field of smart agriculture leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionize farming practices. This paper investigates the transformative potential of Long Range (LoRa) technology as a key enabler of long-range wireless communication for agricultural IoT systems. By reviewing existing literature, we identify a gap in research specifically focused on LoRa's prospects and challenges from a communication perspective in smart agriculture. We delve into the details of LoRa-based agricultural networks, covering network architecture design, Physical Layer (PHY) considerations tailored to the agricultural environment, and channel modeling techniques that account for soil characteristics. The paper further explores relaying and routing mechanisms that address the challenges of extending network coverage and optimizing data transmission in vast agricultural landscapes. Transitioning to practical aspects, we discuss sensor deployment strategies and energy management techniques, offering insights for real-world deployments. A comparative analysis of LoRa with other wireless communication technologies employed in agricultural IoT applications highlights its strengths and weaknesses in this context. Furthermore, the paper outlines several future research directions to leverage the potential of LoRa-based agriculture 4.0. These include advancements in channel modeling for diverse farming environments, novel relay routing algorithms, integrating emerging sensor technologies like hyper-spectral imaging and drone-based sensing, on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, and sustainable solutions. This survey can guide researchers, technologists, and practitioners to understand, implement, and propel smart agriculture initiatives using LoRa technology.
... Due to its capacity to gather, update, and send information in real-time with no delay or error, traceability systems have come to be recognized as a crucial instrument for enhancing the relationship between SC performance and SC risk management (Razak et al., 2023;Ringsberg, 2014;Stranieri et al., 2017). To increase the transparency and visibility of the SCs, traceability is utilized to provide signs of the source, position, condition, composition, and so on across all manufacturing, processing, and distribution phases (Kelepouris et al., 2007;Razak et al., 2023;Timmer & Kaufmann, 2017). ...
Food systems include dynamic and complex networks made up of all the actors, processes, and infrastructures, as well as their interactions. Because of the growing supply chain's (SC) vulnerability, fragility, and operational disturbances, managing disruptions has become a crucial problem in the food SC. Thus, companies aim to improve their resilience to deal with unexpected conditions. Thus, this study aims to analyze and frame the food SC's resilience, sustainability, and smartness considering different causal conditions (e.g., digital technology adaption, providing traceability, and enhancing collaboration). This study also analyzes the numerous and complex linkages between outcome and causal variables. Thus, this study includes data on the food industry operating in Turkey. The Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis has been used to analyze different companies' data. SC resilience performance conditions have been determined and analyzed. According to the result of this study, it can be said that enhanced flexibility structure and adaptability skills in the SC, increased IT capability, and integration of digital technologies into the SC process are the key components for achieving high SC resilience, sustainability, and smartness in the food SCs. This study suggests various implications for policymakers and managers in the food SCs.
Prior studies on traceability as an enabler of supply chain resilience (SCRes) have focused on large‐scale disruptions and developed country contexts. Few studies have focused on developing countries where chronic, small‐scale disruptions are common and resource scarcity means advanced digital technologies are rarely adopted. This research explores how traceability is achieved across upstream actors in two Ghanaian agri‐food supply chains and how this affects global SCRes. Social characteristics are shown to influence the risks inherent in supply chains, while traceability is both a direct and indirect SCRes enabler. Informed by the relational view, the roles of relation‐specific assets and governance mechanisms in maintaining traceability are explored. Supply chain‐wide relation‐specific assets are prioritized over dyadic relation‐specific assets. This original finding is explained by the importance of maintaining social ties over short‐term economic gains in a collectivist culture, leading to greater relational rents in the long term. A novel, informal third‐party governance mechanism that reduces formal contracting costs and provides flexibility and continuity to interfirm relationships is also identified, further facilitating the attainment of relational rents. The findings are explained in light of sub‐Saharan Africa's collectivist culture, encapsulated in the philosophy of ubuntu . Overall, the research theorizes on achieving supply chain traceability and thus enhancing global SCRes as a sociotechnical system incorporating technological and nontechnological systems that are socially embedded in the local context.
The growing demand for cold chain e-fulfilment services has created challenges for implementing low-carbon practices due to the use of extensive energy and insulation materials required to maintain the desired service quality throughout the supply chain. This study applies the Fuzzy Best Worst Method with group decision-making capabilities to identify and prioritise eco-innovation barriers in the context of cold chain e-fulfilment. Through analysing expert opinions, it is found that (i) integration with legacy systems, (ii) high implementation costs, (iii) limited stakeholder engagement and communication, and (iv) limited awareness and education on eco-innovation are the most pressing eco-innovation barriers. Subsequently, insights and guidelines to integrate eco-innovation initiatives in cold chain e-commerce are suggested, highlighting the role of social eco-innovation. All in all, this research contributes to the next-generation sustainable development of cold chain e-fulfilment, aiming to balance environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
The traditional Food Supply Chain (FSC) is challenged by a number of issues, including uncertainty, security, expense, complexity, and quality worries. A precise supply chain is required to address these problems. Managing the supply chain to distribute high-quality goods is a difficult task in the modern food sector. The efficient Tree Augmented Naive Bayes linked with FSC utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) is proposed in this paper to enable tracking, tracing, and managing the full food supply chain process, including supplier, exporter, and consumers. This paper's goals are to evaluate the food safety and create the best possible chronological data for the analysis of potential future assumptions. It also intends to connect the producer and the buyer by delivering high-quality food goods while using IoT technology to transport food from the producers to the customers. IoT-based food supply chain traceability is used to successfully transact data with ambiguous, unreliable, and inadequate data. In order to provide secure backdrop and food safety for FSC process utilizing IoT technology, the suggested effective Tree Augmented Naive Bayes algorithm would be able to overcome the challenges of conventional supply chain.
This paper explores the applications and future commercial impacts of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Its objective is to summarize the ways in which organizations and academics are thinking about these technologies and to stimulate strategic thinking about their possible uses and implications. It first provides an overview of this technology and how it works. Then it explores the surprisingly wide variety of current applications of RFID. Next it looks at several classes of potential RFID applications and how these might affect how organizations work. Finally, it examines the cost and implementation considerations of this technology. The paper concludes that RFID is a viable technology with many possible applications. However, only some of the impacts on organizations and society can be anticipated at present.
Discusses the restoration of consumer confidence in the Belgian meat industry through Sanitel, a traceability system that tracks products through the entire supply chain. It is a prerequisite to an effective supply chain and quality management. Discusses the process in relation to the poultry meat industry in Belgium.
Although government and business interest in tracking and tracing has grown enormously over the last decade, a clear and coherent overview of the topic is still lacking and is not found in (logistics) literature. This article presents a structure for development and contemporary practices of tracking and tracing. The development structure is conceptualised by three supply-chain layers: item coding (the physical layer), information architecture (the information layer); and planning and control (the control layer). On behalf of tracking and tracing, the layers represent different levels of supply-chain integration. The conceptualisation is derived from similar ideas found in literature on supply-chain management. From a scientific point of view, the structure provides a coherent and systematic organisation of tracking and tracing concepts. From the viewpoint of business administration, the structure facilitates the determination of the scope of tracking and tracing application(s), which is of management value.
The dairy industry is under pressure to improve product security, implement efficient risk management and rapid response capabilities, and manage quality ‘from trough to table’ to achieve full, verifiable traceability. In order to invest proactively in the future of the industry, individual processors must reassess their handling of quality and traceability data for strategic and competitive success, make appropriate physical configuration and operational adjustments, and deploy readily available technological tools to meet legislative and consumer demands, enhance product quality and increase operational efficiency and profits.
The previous discussion assumes that all the technical barriers regarding the application of RFID have been overcome, and that RF-tags have been introduced on all or a big proportion of consumer goods. However, this assumption is still far from reality, as technical barriers have not been totally overcome yet, especially when considering large-scale implementations, and standards are still evolving to support the wide adoption of RFID technology across the industry.
While research is progressing fast on the standards and technology front, there is an ever increasing concern about consumer privacy relating to the use of RF-tags on consumer goods, which has recently led companies like Benetton and Wal-Mart to temporarily shirk RFID-at-consumer-level pilots (McGinity, 2004). Analysts predict that while four or five years will pass before consumers are directly affected by RFID, privacy will be a major problem, if it isn’t addressed up-front. These concerns, in combination with the lower costs associated with introducing RF-tags on product cases and pallets instead of consumer units, currently lead the industry to implementing warehouse applications in the first round. Eventually, privacy concerns will be overcome, as has happened during the initial introduction of barcode technology several decades ago, allowing companies to adopt advanced RFID applications and smarter collaboration practices. This perspective opens up many new directions for research and development in this area, relating both to technology and the many different business aspects associated with it. The work presented in this paper is a first attempt towards this direction.
Traceability in food manufacturing can range from in-house traceability in production plants to traceability in whole or part of the production chain from raw material to consumer, and descriptors of the product and its history can be few or many as decided. Well thought-out traceability systems are fundamental to achieving optimal benefits from quality control, production control and for fulfilling consumer demands etc. In order to facilitate the discussion of a traceability strategy in food industries this Viewpoint outlines the fundamental theoretical issues of traceability systems and presents a more practical discussion of its extent.
Facing many food safety crises, like BSE or foot-and-mouth disease, food companies try to limit incurred risk and to reassure consumers. So today, the point is not only to trace the products efficiently but also to minimize recalls and the number of batches constituting a given finished product. The problem studied concerns a sausage manufacturing process in a French food company. It tries to minimize the quantity of recalls when products are characterized by a 3-level “disassembling and assembling” bill of material.Such a “dispersion problem”, encountered in the food industry, has been modelled, solved and experimented. A mathematical MILP model is proposed and the results of experiments obtained with LINGO software are presented.