6 keys to successful poultry supply chain traceability

Tech-enabled traceability is crucial to help streamline the entire poultry supply chain.

Doughman Headshot3 Headshot
Leowolfert | Dreamstime.com;
Leowolfert | Dreamstime.com;

Tech-enabled traceability is crucial to help streamline the entire poultry supply chain.

“Today in our supply chain, the challenges that we face is about so much more than traceability,” Julie McGill, vice president of supply chain strategy and insights, FoodLogiQ, said during Six Strategies to Secure Buy-In for Tech-Enabled Traceability

“This idea of tech-enabled traceability – the ability to quickly track food throughout the food system from when it leaves the source to when it lands on your plate – is one of the core elements of the new era of food safety.”

Digital technologies – such as blockchain, RFID and barcodes – help track and trace food products throughout the supply chain, from farm to fork. Food safety experts can use this information for faster identification of the source of foodborne illnesses.

During the webinar, McGill shared six tips and insights to help ensure successful supply chain traceability using technology.

1. Identify drivers

The first thing companies need to do is to identify the drivers – whether regulatory requirements, internal motivations or industry initiatives. Sometimes these drivers come in the form of customer mandates or because of needing internal or external supply chain visibility.

2. Align with business strategy

Any tech-enabled traceability needs to align with a company’s business strategy and values, from sustainability to ingredients to food safety. Best practices can help retail, foodservice and other poultry brands stay true to themselves and meet consumer expectations.

Having a tech-enabled strategy in place can help companies continuously deliver on these values.

 3. Identify motivators

Companies are always looking for ways to improve efficiencies. Data is the best way to identify this to help companies prepare for constant market changes. New technologies can replace pen and paper and combat labor challenges to automatically capture data, streamlining the process and saving time and money.

 4. Evaluate capabilities

Determine areas of strength and weakness throughout the supply chain. This means an understanding of current system capabilities and gaps is critical because of the knowledge that provides when it comes time to engage solution providers for their expertise and skills.

5. Demonstrate business value

Focus on identifying all the ways that tech-enabled traceability can provide value – from return on investment (ROI) to labor savings and more. 

For tech-enabled traceability to succeed, it’s important to enable partners across the supply chain with standardized product identification, whether with blockchain, RFID, barcodes or any other form of technology.

 6. Stay focused

Make plans to regularly review program objectives and compare how they align with ending regulations. These plans should be regularly communicated with all stakeholders so that everyone has a clear understanding of their roles. In addition, measure progress and metrics to ensure that compliance requirements and timelines are met.

Like what you just read? Sign up now for free to receive the Poultry Future Newsletter

Page 1 of 358
Next Page