PTI Compliance - How To Make It Work for Field Packed Harvests

The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) is setting newsoftware needs to integrate with your other
standards for labeling and traceability in the field. Aftermanagement systems to share traceability information.
reading this short article, you'll have an overview of- Barcode labels that work for all of your packaging
what's needed to make it work for your harvestand pre-cooling operations. Special label materials may
operation.be needed for different temperatures, surface types
PTI Requirementsetc.
The Produce Traceability Initiative requires every case- Barcode printers that work for you in the office and
of produce to display a label with both human readablefield.
and barcode information showing your Lot Number- Rugged mobile computers that can capture harvest
and your Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN).data in the field.
The GTIN identifies the specific product in the case.- Connection to your network. Everything you're doing
You must be able to internally trace the Lot Number tofor traceability in the field needs gets communicated to
a specific location (grower, ranch, field) and pack date.your system. You can then react quickly to daily
You'll need to maintain this information electronically soharvest changes.
you can track which lots and items are shipped toIt's important to realize that creating a successful PTI
each customer and share this information electronicallycompliance system is much more complicated than
with your customers or U.S. FDA when needed.simply installing software or buying labels.
What's Needed in the FieldPTI compliance requires a compete solution able to
Here is an overview of technology you need to makeaccurately track fresh produce from harvest in the
this work for you in the field:field all the way through shipment to your customers.
- Software that allows you to track harvestMost importantly, it needs to be practical for your
information and generate accurate labels. Thisoperation.