IBM’s InfoSphere system is using QR codes to identify each stage of for food production to identify specifically where the food came from down to the specific animal.
Read more in this Forbes January 18, 2012 article, “Mobile Devices Help Ensure Food Safety”
The system uses QR Codes which are scanned by smartphones to gather data which is uploaded to a central database. Systems like this would really add value to the traceability of an item and help identify issues like the recent orange juice contamination much faster and with more reliable information.
For now, IBM is working with a few government regulators around the world to further adoption of its food traceability technology.
I think more progress will occur in this are in 2012. Stay tuned!
