Wholechain is proud to have worked with partners in a traceability proof of concept that confirms the importance of GS1 standards in achieving end-to-end visibility across supply chains. GS1 conducted the study in collaboration with the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Beaver Street Fisheries, Bumble Bee Seafoods, Chicken of the Sea, FoodLogiQ, IBM Food Trust, Insite Solutions/Norpac, ripe.io, SAP, Walmart and Wholechain.

Wholechain is designed to integrate with ERPs and traceability systems using GS1 standards

Based on real-world data, the study’s findings align with Wholechain’s technology-neutral system designed to streamline data sharing and improve supply chains for good. They also further bolster the relevance of the GS1 System of Standards and the GDST 1.0 seafood standards, including EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services), a standard for capturing and sharing event-based data that effectively integrated two or more traceability systems.

Abiding by these standards will ultimately enable companies to comply with upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements through the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) section 204 food traceability rule.

Interoperability standards are key to supply chain sustainability and consumer safety

Standardization across supply chain traceability systems has the potential to improve food safety and honor claims of sustainability by reducing waste and carbon emissions, and more. According to Melanie Nuce, senior vice president, corporate development, GS1 US,

“this pilot shows not only that systems ‘speak’ to each other using standards, but also that industry collaboration is equally critical to define their conversation. With both key elements in place, we can create industry-wide transparency for seafood, and more broadly, enhance food safety.”

Bryan Hitchcock, executive director of the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) for the IFT further expressed optimism around the implications of interoperability in GS1’s official press release

“This positive result represents just the beginning of what industry can do when we prioritize collaboration and standardization to help companies meet new regulations, supply chain demands and consumer expectations.”

Wholechain is honored to take part in such an important advancement toward improving supply chain transparency.