PMA’s first Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Issues Log Task Force meeting will be held on March 1, during the RFID World Conference in Dallas, Texas.

Created in December 2005, the task force is charged with identifying challenges related to RFID implementation within the produce industry as well as documenting the steps taken towards resolving the issues. It will focus on categorising and recording RFID implementation challenges and the steps needed to overcome these hurdles. The information will be captured and housed in an electronic database called PMA’s RFID Issues Log that will be available to PMA members as a way to learn about RFID advancements from their peers.

PMA’s Gary Fleming will participate in the first meeting as well as speak at the RFID World Cold Chain pre-conference workshop on February 27. The workshop will cover RFID changes and advancements in the produce industry. PMA members are eligible to register for RFID World at a discounted rate. For more information, visit www.rfid-world.com.

Illustrating the importance of RFID, according to a study by Gartner, Inc, the adoption of the technology continues to gather momentum, and hardware and software spending will accelerate in late 2006 and 2007 as true benefits are documented.

Worldwide RFID spending was expected to total $504 million in 2005, up 39 per cent from 2004. RFID will begin to experience broader industry adoption with business value-focused implementations toward the end of 2006 when new license revenue totals $751m. Aside from asset tracking, the study noted that each industry will have specialised applications of RFID that cannot be generalised.

Although industries can learn from each other, industry-specific development experiences will largely set the pace for adoption in each industry. Industries with the greatest opportunities to use RFID include retail, aerospace and defence, while the healthcare, logistics, and pharmaceutical industries will adopt RFID fastest.

CONVENTIONAL DEFENCE

PMA has challenged an article appearing in the February issue of US journal Consumer Reports that suggested some conventionally grown fresh produce items are unsafe because of pesticide residues.

“PMA works aggressively to challenge misleading and incorrect public statements that call into question the safety and wholesomeness of produce,” said PMA president Bryan Silbermann.

“In reality, pesticides are subjected to hundreds of tests before they are approved for use. When the EPA sets residue tolerances, it builds in a safety buffer of at least 100-fold. Additionally, the special diets of 22 sensitive groups, including infants, children, pregnant/nursing women, and others are considered,” he added.

“Government, scientific, and health authorities are very clear in telling us that organic and conventionally grown produce are equally safe, nutritious, and tasty,” said vice president, government relations, Kathy Means. “Although minuscule amounts of pesticide residues may, in fact, remain, credible scientific evidence indicates they represent no risk,” she added.

As a partner with Partnership for Food Safety Education, PMA provided funding for a public education initiative that recommends consumers rinse produce under clear drinking water before eating.