The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an initiative to find solutions for traceability needs and challenges faced by each aspect of the food production chain. FDA’s Office of Food Policy and Response is soliciting tech-enabled solutions to “boost food safety and transparency.”
The New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative “strives to work with stakeholders to explore low-cost or no-cost options so that our approaches are inclusive of and viable for human and animal food operations of all sizes.”
Frank Yiannas, FDA deputy commissioner for food policy and response, said end-to-end food traceability will involve every aspect of the supply chain, from source to table.
“To achieve that level of participation, we need accessible tracing solutions for human and animal food companies of all sizes,” Yiannas said in a press release. “That means that we must help ensure that even small companies can use and benefit from new tracing technologies.”
The challenge is inviting submissions for tech-enabled solutions that address traceability needs and challenges faced by primary producers, importers, manufacturers and processors, distributors, retailers and foodservice.
Entrants will be able to submit proposals from June 1 through July 30. Up to 12 winners will be selected, although no cash prizes will be awarded. After the challenge is completed, FDA will hold a webinar on the traceability solutions.
“The food industry will gain new insights into how to solve traceability challenges, and the FDA will open the door to a conversation about finding new ways to overcome obstacles in the road to farm-to-fork traceability,” Yiannas said. — WLJ
