For the past few years, companies have been seeking to make
their supply chains as efficient as possible, while the supply chain,
especially in the food and beverage sector, is becoming increasingly complex. One way to
manage this issue is to outsource and consolidate the number of vendors in the process. As technical demands and complex electronics
are needed to manage the supply chain, outsourcing can maintain a more
consistent approach and the quality the end consumer experiences.
Built-in Traceability
But one factor food and beverage companies should consider
when deciding which vendor to partner with, is to be sure to choose a partner
that has built-in traceability across the supply chain. A recent study by the
Aberdeen Group found that top-performing organizations are 40% more likely to
be taking this strategic approach than other organizations. In the future,
manufacturers must have visibility over the supply chain at every stage in the
process, and have that data accessible in real-time.
Archway has played a major role in many recalls over the past few years.
If a product happens to be recalled, having traceable data at your fingertips
is critical. Traceability in the
supply chain is achieved using radio frequency scanning, and batch and lot
tracking. This narrows the product down so it is easily identified and based on
the information that prompts a recall. In fact, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is focusing on traceability initiatives in its Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA) to prevent and stop food borne outbreaks and illness.
According to the FDA website, “The reasoning is simple: The better the system handles producing,
processing, transporting, and preparing foods, the safer our food supply will
be.”
Archway is very focused on traceability in the supply-chain and has helped many Fortune 500 companies with their major product recalls. Not only have we provided recall services, but we have managed replacement product for consumers to help make an unfortunate recall a brand-friendly experience as much as possible.