Industry Needs for Innovation

Geneva, Switzerland, February 04, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Food fraud and supply chain resilience are listed amongst key areas in need of technical and scientific innovation according to an industry 2015-2017 consultation report recently published by Campden BRI, UK. The consultation consisted of an online survey and face to face interviews with key players in the food and drink sector and is through to be the largest publicly accessible consultation of the sector identifying its own needs.

The need for the development and implementation of the appropriate mechanisms and systems that can assure supply chain integrity and prevent/manage food fraud is expected to be high on the food industry agenda in the years to come. Such systems would also include the necessary analytical methods as well as intelligence gathering and processing, horizon scanning-type, tools that can ensure proactive supply chain risk identification and development of the appropriate risk mitigation approaches. It is a fact that no process can guarantee the safety and integrity of a supply chain as complicated as the food supply chain is, and the results of the industry consultation amongst others indicated the need to:

- Develop and implement effective crisis management systems in response to, but also in anticipation of, food safety/ fraud and quality incidents,
- Devise mechanisms to simplify the food chain by for example investigating local sourcing options, as well as
- Invest in the development of better traceability systems throughout the supply chain and
- Simplify, harmonise and standardise specifications, standards and auditing approaches to enhance operational efficiency without compromising on product safety and quality.

Current supply chain management industry practices, gaps and needs, have been the focus of an industry-wide survey conducted by SGS. The results of the survey will be presented at the SGS-sponsored breakfast session titled "How well do you know your supply chain?" that will take place at the 2015 GFSI conference (Thursday March 5th, 2015 at 8:15-9:15 am). In this session, participants will hear perspectives and practices of key professionals on assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of their supply chains. An evaluation of available tools and methods to manage traceability and transparency in the supply chain will also be presented with a focus on how these can support the prevention, mitigation and management of risk.

For more information please contact:

Evangelia Komitopoulou
Global Technical Manager - Food
SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Camberley
t: +44 (0)7824 089985

http://www.sgs.com/en/Our-Company/News-and-Media-Center/News-and-Press-Releases/2015/02/Industry-Needs-For-Innovation.aspx?wt.mc_id=Anp15021

Reference:
Campden BRI (2015), Innovation for the food and drink supply chain- Scientific and technical needs, available through http://www.campdenbri.co.uk/industry-needs.php