March 8, 2007

China tests beef tracing system

China is using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to keep track of beef production and shipment in an effort to improve food safety in the nation.

The system, a collaboration between China Agricultural University and China Tagtrace Tech Ltd, is being tested among leading beef integrators in Beijing, Shaanxi, and Liaoning, and is expected to be applied throughout China in the near future.

Lotus, a supermarket chain within Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Group in Beijing is selling one of first batch of beef products under the system.

Buyers can check information related to the products' quality and safety, such as the specific farm the beef came from, the animal's breed and age, as well as the type of feed the animal was fed on and its disease history at the market itself, through a website or a consumer hotline.

China is developing traceability systems for more animal products as required by the new legislation on animal husbandry. Similar measures on hog identification is being implemented in various provinces due to the prevalence of swine diseases.