University of Wolverhampton's School of Computing and IT is to
embark on a two year pilot scheme to build a system using RFID
(Radio-frequency Identification) tags to trace and authenticate the
source of food items; an increasing concern for retailers and
consumers. IT Futures, an initiative set up by Advantage West
Midland's ICT Cluster, is based at the University and is renowned
for its expertise in and use of RFID technology.
The production and distribution of food is the largest and
principal activity for all countries across the world.
However, there is growing concern over quality assurance and
food counterfeiting such as the use of low-grade meat.
The purpose of the project, named RFID-F2F, funded by the
European Commission, is to demonstrate the use of RFID at all
stages of the production and sales chain, allowing products to be
tracked across Europe, from the producer to the end consumer. The
RFID technology enables all the details of a food item's history to
be stored on a database, including detail of the farmer, the
manufacturer, the storage conditions and transportation.
"There are huge potential returns on investment for RFID along
the supply chain including reduced wastage, optimising logistics
costs, improved quality of consumer goods and the provision of
authenticated premium items," explains Mike Musson, ICT Cluster
Manager. "We aim to raise awareness among companies, in particular
SMEs, of the potential benefits associated with the use of RFID
technology, through live implementations in the region."
"IT Futures has been at the forefront of RFID technology for a
number of years, and I'm delighted that our capabilities have been
recognised by the EC for this invaluable project. Through the West
Midlands Regional Centre for RFID, we have gained experience of
tracing food and that has proved to be a decisive factor in gaining
the project," comments Robert Newman, Professor of Computer
Science, School of Computing & IT, University of
Wolverhampton.
The project will involve international as well as West
Midlands-based producers, processors, logistics and retail
organisations. Businesses interested in participating in the
project should contact: Lynsey Jones, 01902 323396.