New traceability system launched

Dr Ken Baird, chairman of TraceAssured Ltd and Lourens Erasmus, managing director, launched at parliament buildings in Stormont, Nothern Ireland, the first traceability system which can provide an instantly transparent food chain from farm to fork.

Aimed at increasing consumer trust in the global food industry, the event was hosted by the First Minister for Northern Ireland, Dr Ian Paisley. The audience included leading industry representatives and Dr Patrick Wall, chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority.

The TraceAssured initiative has been several years in research, and is set to take the global food industry by storm in a period when consumers expect greater transparency in terms of where their food comes from and the ingredients used.

Moy Park pilot
The system has already been successfully integrated into a number of Moy Park plants, one of Europe’s largest poultry processing operations.

TraceAssured has recently confirmed a global agreement with IT giant, Hewlett Packard as well as receiving support from Scanvaegt International (part of the Marel Food Systems Group).

Dr Paisley emphasised the importance of such initiatives for Northern Ireland to demonstrate what he called “its pedigree in a global economy”.

Strong backup
TraceAssured has been pioneered and developed by an expert team led by Dr Ken Baird, one of Northern Ireland’s leading food industry experts, and received the backing and support from some of Europe’s major food businesses,

Invest Northern Ireland, QUBIS (Queens University of Belfast), private investors, key retailers and standard certification bodies.

Dr Baird said: “TraceAssured can strengthen traceability claims. It collects, stores and presents information, through its specialist internet based service, on ingredient and packaging movements, transformation and quality from source to shelf, across the globe.

“The service minimises risk to consumers, businesses and exceeds traceability standards, legislation and customer demands.”

Benefits to Ireland as an Island
Dr Patrick Wall, Chairperson of the European Food Safety Authority said: “When people think of ‘Ireland the Food Island’ they should think not only of top quality food but of quality processes and the best science. TraceAssured is an excellent example of this and will put Ireland up in lights internationally.”

Related websites:

• EFSA

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