In response to the globalization of food markets, changing trade regulations, and greater focus on food safety incidents, calls for better traceability systems and tools grow louder. This has prompted industry, encouraged by government, to speed up investments in traceability.

Forging Stronger Links: Traceability and the Canadian Food Supply Chain analyzes food traceability system issues and examines the costs and benefits of traceability for the different participants in the food supply system. Without a solid grasp of the costs and related benefits of the available traceability options, supply chain stakeholders may not be investing wisely. At the same time, if governments are not fully aware of the costs and benefits for supply chain stakeholders, and for consumers, they risk mandating traceability regulations that are unaffordable or unsustainable.

Several potential solutions that could lead to more and better traceability systems, which meet both public and private interest priorities, are also examined.

Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Introduction

• Purpose of the Report
• What Is Food Traceability?
• Framing the Analysis
• Methodology

Chapter 2—Features and Challenges of Food Traceability Systems

• Traceability in Canada
• Key Features of Traceability Systems
• Food Traceability Drivers
• Traceability Initiatives in Canada
• Traceability System Gaps and Issues
• Traceability Regulations and Standards Within Food Industries
• Conclusion

Chapter 3—Public Interest and Food Traceability Systems

• Using Traceability to Enhance Emergency Management
• Regulating Traceability: Protecting the Public Interest
• Conclusion

Chapter 4—Private Interests and Food Traceability Systems

• Improving Supply Chain Management
• Enhancing Industry Competitiveness: Product Differentiation
• Conclusion

Chapter 5—Potential Solutions

• Potential Solutions
• Conclusion

Appendix A—Incentives for Traceability by Principal Industry Stakeholders

Appendix B—Food Traceability—Roadmapping/Planning for Organizations

• Step 1—Gather Information
• Step 2—Identify Traceability Strategy
• Step 3—Evaluate Current Efforts
• Step 4—Innovate and Enhance
• Step 5—Monitor Continuously

Appendix C—Bibliography