9fbtechreview.comAPRIL - 2022From, the largest provider of certification and verification services to the food industry, Tyson Foods will source cattle from BEEFCARETM-verified beef producers who are committed to raising cattle using practices that positively impact the land and animals.Increasing traceability through initiatives like these have benefits for the processor as well. In 2021, Tyson Foods became the first beef processor to invest in a cattle disease traceability program, CattleTrace. U.S. CattleTrace utilizes ear tags that contain ultra-high frequency technologies to collect the minimal data necessary, including an individual animal identification number, a GPS location, and date and time. This information is used to track animals in the event of a disease outbreak and allows tracking of the animal from location of birth and to each location they travel prior to reaching a processor for harvest. An electronic chip within the tag interacts with the radio frequency emitted by the reader. Though the tags are electronic, they are not battery operated, meaning they can last the lifetime of the animal. Blockchain technology or "electronic ledgers" are another tool that has been discussed with increasing frequency. This tool is important for traceability; however, it is only one cog in the traceability wheel. To be successful, the necessary data must be gathered, connected, and funneled into the ledger. The funneling point is the easy part of this process. The challenge exists in understanding what data to collect and how the data is connected throughout the supply chain process.Understanding which data to collect in order to successfully implement blockchain technology becomes much easier once you have a transparent line of sight to the entire supply chain at every step in the process. This increased visibility allows the team to spot costly mishaps like product shrink and lost value. For most, this becomes the "a-ha" moment that illuminates the value proposition of investing in such technology for traceability, beyond providing clarity for consumers. The enhanced efficiency and visibility thus allows for incorporation of innovation and technology previously thought to be out of reach.These are examples of where traceability advancements in our beef supply are rapidly advancing. These enhanced traceability initiatives are a way to further verify and build trust in an already world-class system, internally and externally. Experience has demonstrated that when everyone wins, both the consumer and the processor, advances move more rapidly. Now that the new efforts are demonstrating their value, the ability to be creative and find new solutions is infinite, solidifying trust and increasing transparency up and down the supply chain. Barbara MastersAccording to the 2021 Power of Meat study, one-third of meat shoppers seek out items that address sustainability, animal welfare, and social responsibility
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