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Introducing the OnTrace Verified Network

OnTrace Agri-Food Traceability (OnTrace) recently announced it is launching the OnTrace Verified Network, a new inter-party traceability service that will enable source verification of food from farm to point of purchase.

OnTrace Agri-Food Traceability (OnTrace) recently announced it is launching the OnTrace Verified Network, a new inter-party traceability service that will enable source verification of food from farm to point of purchase.

The OnTrace Verified Network is a service owned and operated by OnTrace. Although there is a logo associated with it, it is not another brand; it is a live business network backed up by a secure online service that enables partners to work together and seamlessly share key information or verify food product claims.

With the OnTrace Verified Network, producers, processors, distributors, truckers, retailers and other partners can become members and access the service online – there is no software to purchase.

Benefits include:

• The OnTrace Verified Network can be utilized to helpreduce business risk and streamline access to criticalinformation in the event of a recall.
• The service works for businesses of all sizes and is of particular value to businesses that may not be able toafford specialized electronic data exchange software.
• Members will have the capability to verify brand claims using the data they exchange and permit their partners to access.
• The degree of data transparency is determined by the owners of the information, if the data owner chooses, the information can be used to support marketing claims and verify the source of a product.
• The OnTrace Verified Network will enable business partners to link the information they have concerning shipments and movement of products, thereby increasing their capability to improve materials management.
• The service will simplify communications between one part of the food chain and another. OnTrace envisions that consumers and farmers will eventually be able to connect easily with each other through the network.
• Producers can then readily access direct feedback from consumers, and consumers will be able to see more information about what they eat.
• Consumers will also come to appreciate the OnTrace Verified symbol to help them easily identify locally sourced products.

The inter-party traceability system will be the engine under the hood of the OnTrace Verified Network. To make the network function most effectively, OnTrace is seeking participants. Businesses interested in an early glimpse of the online service can become members now and explore the OnTrace Verified Network by visiting www.ontrace.ca and following the link to the OnTrace Verified Network sign-up page. Becoming a member now and using the available tools is free of charge.

The OnTrace Verified network goes live in June 2011.