RFID tags are often considered as a complement to UPC or EAN barcodes, having a number of important advantages over the older barcode technology. This is particulary true in the food industry, where the tag has special qualities:

• Unique number for a product, not a lot
• Ability to whithstand extreme cold and high temperatures
• Durable identification
• Can still be read in a dirty environment
• Ability to collect information on its environment (for cold chain traceability for exemple)

The food industry is rapidly increasing its use of RFID technology. This is partly due to RFID mandates like the one issued by Wal-Mart in the US.

The number one distributor has published requirements that its vendors place RFID tags on all shipments to improve supply chain management. Due to the size of the organization, its RFID mandate impacts on thousands of companies worldwide. The deadlines have been extended several times because many vendors face significant difficulties implementing RFID systems. In time it is expected that even small companies will be able to place RFID tags on their outbound shipments.

Since January, 2005, Wal-Mart has required its top 100 suppliers to apply RFID labels to all shipments. To meet this requirement, vendors use RFID printer/encoders to label cases and pallets that require EPC tags for Wal-Mart. These smart labels are produced by embedding RFID inlays inside the label material, and then printing barcode and other visible information on the surface of the label.

Below, you'll find some animations explaining what can be done with RFID in your field of work:

Crate traceability: how to trace your containers inside your chain?

Lifestock: from the field to the plate!

Food processing: are you sure it's being done properly?

Animations provided
by our partner: