RFID-enabled Food Safety and Traceability Systems

Tags, NFC, RF-enabled Sensors, and Digital Data Loggers

Research Report

Food traceability has traditionally required a "one step forward, one step back" record-keeping effort for each company that produces, processes, packages, transports, or sells food products. The objective is to provide the ability to "trace-back" rapidly from point of consumption to the source, all food products and components identified as potentially involved in a foodborne disease outbreak. Each food-industry company must maintain records that show "who they purchased it from" and "who they sold it to." New legislation in the United States focuses on the establishment of industry-wide data standards for this information, and goes beyond traceability to require that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) develop and publish new regulations that focus on overall prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks.

This study provides an overview of this recent food safety legislation, which is known as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Analysis includes a review of how this bill will impact the food-industry use of Auto ID technology in both the short and intermediate terms. It provides forecasts for the use of RFID-enabled data logging devices from 2010 through 2015 in cold chain applications. Information was obtained through direct interviews with technology suppliers to the food industry, primary research on food-industry traceability and safety initiatives, and analyst review of written reports issued by US governmental agencies.

Table of Contents

  • 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
    • 1.1. Introduction
      • 1.1.1. Report Scope
    • 1.2. Market Drivers
    • 1.3. Market Dynamics
    • 1.4. Legislative and Social Pressures
    • 1.5. High-Level Technology Issues
      • 1.5.1. Technology Options
    • 1.6. Current Market Situation
  • 2. BUSINESS ISSUES
    • 2.1. Introduction
    • 2.2. Foodborne Disease Outbreaks in the United States
      • 2.2.1. Annual Foodborne Illnesses - CDC Estimates
    • 2.3. The US Food Marketing System
    • 2.4. Produce Industry Guidelines and Trials
    • 2.5. Supply Chain Tracing Systems
    • 2.6. Food Regulation, Inspections, and Oversight
    • 2.7. Market Opportunities for RFID-Enabled Traceability Systems
    • 2.8. Analyst Observations
  • 3. TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS FOR FOOD TRACEABILITY AND SAFETY
    • 3.1. Introduction
    • 3.2. Technology Options
      • 3.2.1. Digital Data Loggers
      • 3.2.2. RF-Enabled Digital Data Loggers
      • 3.2.3. Passive RFID ICs With Sensors
      • 3.2.4. BAP RFID Sensor Chips (IC's)
      • 3.2.5. Active RFID Systems
    • 3.3. RFID Technology Obstacles
    • 3.4. Technology Convergence
  • 4. DIFFERENTIATING FACTORS FOR RFID SOLUTIONS
    • 4.1. Food-Industry Considerations
    • 4.2. Where the "Brands" Are
    • 4.3. The Grocer's Dilemma
    • 4.4. Can Traceability, Food Safety, and Freshness be "All in One"?
  • 5. MARKET FORECASTS
    • 5.1. Current Market Status
    • 5.2. RFID-Enabled Food Tracking Market Potential
    • 5.3. Imports and Exports
    • 5.4. Conclusions and Observations
  • 6. COMPANY DIRECTORY
  • 7. ACRONYMS
  • Executive Brief: Top-Line Forecast
  • Executive Brief: Drivers
  • Executive Brief: Inhibitors
  • Executive Brief: Market Share
  • Executive Brief: Summary and Strategic Recommendations

Tables

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  1. RFID Tag Potential - US Fresh Foods, Total Available Market Potential for RFID by Fresh Food Type
  2. US Foodborne Disease Statistics, Annual Illness Estimates - Top Five Known Pathogens
  3. Major Foodborne Disease Outbreaks, Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths
  4. Food Traceability Projects, Publicized Projects, Goals, Results, Comments
  5. Annual Fresh Food Total Production, US Total Production by Fresh Food Category
  6. RF-enabled Tracking Technologies, Pros and Cons for RF and Sensor Products
  7. RFID Tags with Temp Forecast, US Market Forecast Unit Shipments to 2015
  8. RFID Tags with Temp Forecast, US Market Forecast Revenues

Charts

  1. US Food RFID Tag Potential, RFID-enabled Fresh Food Potential for RFID Tags-with-Sensors
  2. US Food RFID Tag Potential
  3. RFID-enabled Tags-with-Sensors Forecast

Figures

  1. Pallets in Honolulu, HI
  2. The Stages in the US Food Marketing System
  3. Potential Pathway of Produce to Retail Stores
  4. Multipoint Approach: ABI Research RFID Research Compass