The formation of the International Federation for Produce Coding (IFPC) has brought standardisation of traceability closer.

The new organisation follows a meeting of the International Price Look-Up (PLU) working group that took place on October 26 in conjunction with the Produce Marketing Association's international convention and Fresh Summit 2001 exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A global system is expected to be in place as early as May 31, 2002.

Doug Henderson, ceo of the UK's Fresh Produce Consortium, will chair the IFPC board of directors.

Sixty operating principles have been agreed on, detailing the structure and operations of the IFPC board. These include a focus on consensus, international co-operation and market choice.

To allow streamlining of the existing PLU system already in use around the world, the operating principles state that no more PLU numbers will be assigned as of November 1, 2001. The aim is to create 'a period of stability during which time new numbers will not be assigned while the group works to harmonise the system.' PLU labels will be developed using a tiny barcode featuring full traceability, including data of grower, packer, date packed, batch number and so on. Retailers are adapting their systems to handle the new technology.

The working group stated: 'There is a desire for an independent international group to be formed as a federation of existing national and international organisations. It will evaluate and achieve international harmonisation regarding use of individual item coding for the produce industry. The members of the federation will operate as equal partners.

'The long-term objective of the IFPC shall be to develop in partnership with produce organisations and EAN International comprehensive solutions on product identification for the entire produce industry supply chain.' The IFPC board of directors will consist of a regional representative for each of the US, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, Middle East and Africa. A representative of EAN International and a secretary general will also sit on the board.

Organisations in the working group include: Association Interprofessionnelle des Fruits et Legumes Frais; Canadian Produce Marketing Association; Dutch Produce Association; EAN International; European Association of Fresh Produce Importers; European Union of the Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale, Import, and Export Trade; Fresh Produce Consortium; German Fruit Trade Association; Norwegian Association of Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers; Produce Marketing Association (US); Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters; the Swedish Association of Fruit & Vegetable Distribution; Horticulture Australia Ltd; Chilean Exporters Association; Instituto Brasileiro de Frutas; Pipfruit Growers New Zealand Incorporated; and EHIME/KAEI – Japan.

The countries taking part in the working group are expected to give their formal approval to the proposals over the next few months.