Track-and-trace trial of cherry and potato supply chains

Conducted as part of a Food Agility CRC collaborative project, the CherryPlus traceability project trialled GS1 data standards to create a digital map of properties and the movement of products in the NSW cherry and potato industries.

The pilot project used unique serialised QR codes with a GS1 Digital Link label that were applied to Woolworths-branded bags of brushed potatoes and punnets of organic cherries.

The data was managed via FreshChain’s fully integrated, blockchain-enabled, paddock-to-plate assurance system. This allowed the product to be traced in real time, from property to store, providing information about how the product moved along the supply chain and the time spent at each location.

Project leader and NSW Department of Primary Industries Development Officer Jessica Fearnley said researchers simulated a product recall in track-and-trace trials.

Jessica Fearnley

“The project has shown that GS1 data standards can be used to provide instant product identification and recall, something that’s critical during an emergency situation such as biosecurity incursion or food safety breach,” she said.

“The system also supports the electronic flow of information to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and this has the potential to improve market access and reduce compliance costs for the industry.”

Food Agility Chief Scientist Professor David Lamb said the research has provided a proof of concept that can also be developed for other supply chains.

“This type of integrated traceability system offers many potential benefits for growers, exporters, governments and consumers, including providing assurances of food safety, provenance and authenticity of products,” Lamb said. “It also provides the framework for data standards and integration of traceability systems that could be expanded to other agrifood supply chains.”

Importantly, using a new GS1 Digital Link QR code on packaging provided an opportunity for real-time feedback from consumers.

FreshChain Systems’ Greg Calvert said datasets can provide powerful insights to inform decisions to reduce costs, grow profit and build a community of supporters.

“Growers and brand owners can take advantage of the digital age with integrated smart labelling and packaging to share generational farming stories, sustainability initiatives and product attributes that form a growing part of the buying decision criteria at the point of purchase,” he said.

The CherryPlus project was a collaboration between Food Agility, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Woolworths, FreshChain Systems, GS1 Australia and Cherry Growers Australia, Mitolo Family Farms and Cantrill Organics. For more information, the final report is available for download.

Top image credit: iStock.com/paulacobleigh