scholarly journals Bridging the Gaps in Traceability Systems for Fresh Produce Supply Chains: Overview and Development of an Integrated IoT-Based System

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7596
Author(s):  
Aristotelis C. Tagarakis ◽  
Lefteris Benos ◽  
Dimitrios Kateris ◽  
Nikolaos Tsotsolas ◽  
Dionysis Bochtis
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Quality And Safety ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Fresh Products ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Complicated Task

Traceability, namely the ability to access information about a product and its movement across all stages of the supply chain, has been emerged as a key criterion of a product’s quality and safety. Managing fresh products, such as fruits and vegetables, is a particularly complicated task, since they are perishable with short shelf lives and are vulnerable to environmental conditions. This makes traceability of fresh produce very significant. The present study provides a brief overview of the relative literature on fresh produce traceability systems. It was concluded that the commercially available traceability systems usually neither cover the entire length of the supply chain nor rely on open and transparent interoperability standards. Therefore, a user-friendly open access traceability system is proposed for the development of an integrated solution for traceability and agro-logistics of fresh products, focusing on interoperability and data sharing. Various Internet of Things technologies are incorporated and connected to the web, while an android-based platform enables the monitoring of the quality of fruits and vegetables throughout the whole agri-food supply chain, starting from the field level to the consumer and back to the field. The applicability of the system, named AgroTRACE, is further extended to waste management, which constitutes an important aspect of a circular economy.

Sustainable logistics barriers of fruits and vegetables

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 2589-2610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Raut ◽  
Bhaskar B. Gardas
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Sustainable Transportation ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Logistics

PurposeThe reduction of food wastage at every stage of a fresh produce supply chain helps in achieving balance among all three dimensions (social, ecological and economic) of the sustainability and helps in stimulating the growth and development in the agricultural domain. The purpose of this paper is to address the causal factors of post-harvesting losses (PHLs) occurring in the transportation phase.Design/methodology/approachThrough exhaustive literature survey and expert opinions, 12 crucial barriers to sustainable transportation of fruits and vegetables (F&V) are identified. The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, is employed for developing a structural model of the identified barriers.FindingsThe results of the analysis highlighted that two factors, namely, the non-availability of refrigerated vehicles, and excessive loading on the vehicles, are the most significant barriers to sustainable transportation which are found to have the highest driving power.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the present research are applicable to the F&V supply chains only. The established interrelation among the identified factors depends on the judgments given by the experts which could be biased. The developed ISM model is intended to guide the policy and decision makers for formulating the policies for the performance improvement of the fresh produce value chain.Originality/valueIt is the first research of its kind focusing on the model development of critical factors causing PHLs in the transportation phase of the agricultural fresh produce supply chain using MCDM process.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Reducing Food Losses in the Supply Chain of Fresh Agricultural Produce

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1431
Author(s):  
Daniel I. Onwude ◽  
Guangnan Chen ◽  
Nnanna Eke-emezie ◽  
Abraham Kabutey ◽  
Alfadhl Yahya Khaled ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Quality Loss ◽  
Agricultural Produce ◽  
Digital Twins ◽  
Food Losses

Fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious agricultural produce with tremendous human health benefits. They are also highly perishable and as such are easily susceptible to spoilage, leading to a reduction in quality attributes and induced food loss. Cold chain technologies have over the years been employed to reduce the quality loss of fruits and vegetables from farm to fork. However, a high amount of losses (≈50%) still occur during the packaging, pre-cooling, transportation, and storage of these fresh agricultural produce. This study highlights the current state-of-the-art of various advanced tools employed to reducing the quality loss of fruits and vegetables during the packaging, storage, and transportation cold chain operations, including the application of imaging technology, spectroscopy, multi-sensors, electronic nose, radio frequency identification, printed sensors, acoustic impulse response, and mathematical models. It is shown that computer vision, hyperspectral imaging, multispectral imaging, spectroscopy, X-ray imaging, and mathematical models are well established in monitoring and optimizing process parameters that affect food quality attributes during cold chain operations. We also identified the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual representation models of a particular fresh produce (digital twins) as emerging technologies that can help monitor and control the uncharted quality evolution during its postharvest life. These advances can help diagnose and take measures against potential problems affecting the quality of fresh produce in the supply chains. Plausible future pathways to further develop these emerging technologies and help in the significant reduction of food losses in the supply chain of fresh produce are discussed. Future research should be directed towards integrating IoT and digital twins for multiple shipments in order to intensify real-time monitoring of the cold chain environmental conditions, and the eventual optimization of the postharvest supply chains. This study gives promising insight towards the use of advanced technologies in reducing losses in the postharvest supply chain of fruits and vegetables.

Studies and Application of Aquatic Processing Products Supply Chain Traceability System

2009 ◽  
Vol 419-420 ◽  
pp. 861-864
Author(s):  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Li Zhen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
General System ◽  
Sql Server ◽  
Sql Server 2000 ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
System A ◽  
C Programming ◽  
Function Modules ◽  
Database Technology

To effectively control and monitor the quality of aquatic products, a supply chain traceability system of multi-user and multi-authorities has been established. In this paper, current situation of traceability system was firstly introduced, and then a general system architecture, function modules, data model and encoding scheme were discussed. This system was constructed on the ASP.NET platform, using the C# programming language and SQL server 2000 database technology. Through this system, a platform was provided for exchanging information of producing, circulating and consuming among supply chain participants, products quality control on the whole chain and traceability was then achieved.

scholarly journals Reusable Plastic Crates (RPCs) for Fresh Produce (Case Study on Cauliflowers): Sustainable Packaging but Potential Salmonella Survival and Risk of Cross-Contamination

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1254
Author(s):  
Francisco López-Gálvez ◽  
Laura Rasines ◽  
Encarnación Conesa ◽  
Perla A. Gómez ◽  
Francisco Artés-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Medium Density Fiberboard ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Contact Materials

The handling of fresh fruits and vegetables in reusable plastic crates (RPCs) has the potential to increase the sustainability of packaging in the fresh produce supply chain. However, the utilization of multiple-use containers can have consequences related to the microbial safety of this type of food. The present study assessed the potential cross-contamination of fresh cauliflowers with Salmonella enterica via different contact materials (polypropylene from RPCs, corrugated cardboard, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) from wooden boxes). Additionally, the survival of the pathogenic microorganism was studied in cauliflowers and the contact materials during storage. The life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to evaluate the environmental impact of produce handling containers made from the different food-contact materials tested. The results show a higher risk of cross-contamination via polypropylene compared with cardboard and MDF. Another outcome of the study is the potential of Salmonella for surviving both in cross-contaminated produce and in contact materials under supply chain conditions. Regarding environmental sustainability, RPCs have a lower environmental impact than single-use containers (cardboard and wooden boxes). To exploit the potential environmental benefits of RPCs while ensuring food safety, it is necessary to guarantee the hygiene of this type of container.

scholarly journals Traceability of Fruits and Vegetables Supply Chain towards Efficient Management: A Case Study from Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 89-106
Author(s):  
Y. M. P. Samarasinghe ◽  
B. A. M. S. Kumara ◽  
Asela K. Kulatunga
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Postharvest Losses ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
Product Identification

The necessity for food traceability has been increased over the years with the expansion of food supply chains globally over these years due to stringent of food safety regulations. Enhancing the access to quality food safely is one of the essential requirements of food supply chain traceability. Conversely, significant percentages of postharvest losses available especially in developing countries due to poor supply chain and logistics practices thereby threatening food security. Unless there is a possibility to trace the Supply chain, it is difficult to take remedial actions. When it comes to Sri Lanka, currently it is harder to have the traceability in most of the foods supply chains commonly on most of the elementary supply chains such as fruits and vegetables. This has led to postharvest losses since it is harder to identify when and where damages occur, who are accountable, harvested and transient times, supply demand mismatch too. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the feasibility of tracing of fruit and vegetable supply chain in Sri Lanka and contribute theoretically to facilitate authorities and decision makers for future traceability improvement. Availability of secondary information on fruits and vegetables traceability was examined referring to government agencies. Basic structure of supply chain was identified based on secondary data and a case study was conducted based on supply chains linked to Thambuththegama and Keppetipola Dedicated Economic Centers to gather primary data. To quantify the feasibility of tracing, a feasibility index was developed. Developed index was used to assess the feasibility towards improved traceability of selected chains where it can be applied for other food and non-food supply chains as well. The feasibility index can be used for other fruits and vegetables supply chains too to assess the feasibility prior to implementation of a traceability system. Furthermore, it can be used for non-food supply chains with some modifications. Analysis revealed that poor feasibility of wholesalers compared to farmers and retailers. Product identification technologies, awareness and willingness for traceability improvement were ranged low to fair for all the entity categories. Hence, enhancement of record-keeping and information sharing, adopting product identification and quality measurement technologies, and strengthening of legislation were identified as key improvements for enhanced fruits and vegetable traceability and efficient postharvest management of studied supply chains

scholarly journals Sensory and Instrumental Measurement of Texture of Fruits and Vegetables

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 830C-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. Abbott*
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Textural Properties ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Common Language ◽  
Texture Measurement ◽  
Instrumental Measurement ◽  
Sensory Evaluations ◽  
Textural Attributes

Demand for fresh fruits and vegetables is increasing worldwide in response to health concerns, wealth, and the desire for variety in the diet. However, consumption of produce is contingent on the ability of the industry to provide high quality fresh produce and on its convenience, as well as on consumer education and economics. Texture measurement is accepted by horticultural industries as a critical indicator of quality of fruits and vegetables. The fresh produce industry and, indirectly, consumers need methods for measuring produce texture to ensure the quality within a grade, and scientists need measurements to quantify the results of their treatments, whether treatments are genetic, chemical, or physical. The variety of attributes required to fully describe textural properties can only be fully measured by sensory evaluation by a panel of trained assessors. However, instrumental measurements are preferred over sensory evaluations for both commercial and research applications because instruments are more convenient, less expensive, and tend to provide consistent values when used by different people. Thus, instrumental measurements need to be developed that predict sensory evaluations of texture. Such instrumental measurements can then provide a common language among researchers, producers, packers, regulatory agencies, and customers. We compare sensory evaluations of specific critical textural attributes to instrumental force/deformation measurements on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables with relatively uniform bulk tissues, such as apples, bananas, carrots, jicama, melons, pears, potatoes, rutabagas, and several others.

scholarly journals Consortium blockchains based traceability system for chicken product supply chain

2022 ◽  
Vol 355 ◽  
pp. 02037
Author(s):  
Yugege Feng ◽  
Wenjing Yan ◽  
Min Zuo ◽  
Qingchuan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Consumer Goods ◽  
Hazard Analysis ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Quality And Safety ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
Critical Control Points ◽  
Live Poultry ◽  
High Level

In recent years, people pay increasing attention to food safety. Chicken, as the second largest meat consumer goods in China, requires high level quality traceability. However, due to the small monomer and large quantity of live poultry, it is difficult to duplicate the whole chain tracing mode of pig industry. In this paper we use HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) to analyze the key control points in the chicken supply chain, and design the traceability code for each chicken product. The traceability system applies the consortium blockchains technology to realize the secure and trusted up-chaining of traceability data, which ensures the quality and safety of chicken in the market.

scholarly journals Impact of Storage Temperature Fluctuation on Modified-atmosphere Packaging of Fresh Produce

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 811D-811
Author(s):  
K. Tano ◽  
L.Z. Lee ◽  
F. Castaigne ◽  
J. Arul
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Fluctuation ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Storage Temperature ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Modified Atmosphere Packaging ◽  
Temperature Fluctuations ◽  
Modified Atmosphere ◽  
Ma Packaging ◽  
Effects Of Temperature

Use of modified atmosphere (MA) as an adjunct to low temperature can be effective method for prolonging the shelflife of fresh fruits and vegetables. However, if storage temperature fluctuates, anoxic conditions can result and, consequently, the fresh produce quality can deteriorate rapidly. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of temperature fluctuation on the atmosphere inside the package and on the quality of packaged produce. Mushrooms (A. bisporus, U3 Sylvan 381) were packaged in rigid containers (4 liters) fitted with diffusion windows to obtain an atmosphere of 5% O2 and 10% CO2 at 4C. Temperature fluctuation had a major impact to the atmosphere inside package. During the first fluctuation sequence, O2 level depleted to 1.5% and CO2 increased to 18%. When the temperature returned to 4C during the next sequence, CO2 level fell back to 10%, but O2 level remained at 1.5%. The quality of mushrooms stored under temperature-fluctuating conditions was severely affected, as indicted by the extent of browning, loss of texture, and level of ethanol in the tissue compared to mushrooms stored at constant temperature. It was clear from this experiment that under temperature fluctuation, even it occurs once, can seriously compromise the benefits of MA packaging and safety of the packaged product. It is thus necessary that MA packaging compensate for the additional permeability required that is caused by storage temperature fluctuations.

Developing a National Eco-System for Sustainable Vegatable Supply Chain in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchira T. Gunarathne ◽  
◽  
Yapa Mahinda Bandara ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Distribution Channels ◽  
High Price ◽  
Price Fluctuations ◽  
Contemporary Topic

Fruits and vegetables supply chain in Sri Lanka has always been a contemporary topic due to its significant value to the economy of the country. The existing fruits and vegetables supply chain is already suffering from dilemmas such as high price fluctuations, excess supply and wastage, involvement of large number of intermediaries and lack of infrastructure. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has put a tremendous pressure on already trembling supply chains. Sudden lock downs have led to disruption of existing distribution channels resulting farmers throwing away millions of tons of fresh fruits and vegetables while consumers in urban areas paying extremely high prices for fresh produce. The current situations clearly demonstrate the need for a more responsive and integrated vegetables supply chain for Sri Lanka. This paper attempts to create a conceptual model for the vegetable supply chain ecosystem for Sri Lanka.

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