Origins of E.coli - Why RFID Fails and Why We Need Molecular Tracking with Isotopes

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We just launched a new Food Tracebility and Food Safety mini-site and our timing sadly coincided with a tragedy in this arena. As the unfolding details of the horrible E.coli outbreak in Europe have highlighted, everything is wrong with current food traceability legislation, testing and understanding. I wanted to bring to your attention the issue that is gaining traction – that of Molecular Tracking, the ability to actually certify a food’s origin through its chemical signature rather than rely on mechanical devices. Often such devices such as barcode readers and RFID chips track the container, not the contents and can be swapped or forged by trans-shippers working to evade tariffs or exporters evading embargo.

Molecular tracking, or Nature’s Barcode as we term it, relies on a 10 minute, 50 cent test to read the signature that is baked into a plant or plant product by photosynthesis and which depends on the plant type and geographical location. The signature is retained through the growth, harvest, processing – and is even passed through to animals as they eat that plant and become a food themselves.

This tool is recognized as being especially important for many developing countries (and those who import from them) working to manage exports in a time of heightened food security concerns. As countries compete, for example in coffee export volume, the ability to prove the origin and therefore the security of their ‘brand’ will become more important.

Food traceability by molecular tracking is a major initiative that is revolutionizing the way in which we track food movement through the complex web of producers, processors shippers and consumers. It adds value to every step of the chain, creating a level of security not achievable by mechanical means alone.

At Picarro we have served as observers to the IAEA/FAO Food Traceability research program and are now working with major food companies and others in the food chain to implement molecular tracking data in conjunction with current mechanical devices. Stay tuned for more from us in this area as we have lots of projects in the works - and we are passionate about making the world a safer place by making the food supply chain more accountable and creating mechanisms to significantly improve food traceability.