Managing food traceability information using EPCIS framework

This paper introduces a new methodology for modeling traceability information using the EPCIS framework and UML statecharts. The method follows the approach of defining states and transitions in food production. A generic model is presented and evaluated based on its practical application by providing illustrations from two supply chains; frozen mackerel production and corn wet milling processes. All states and transitions for these processes as well as the information that needs to be captured for each state are indentified. This includes the product, process and quality information. The model presented in this paper is not just another process modeling tool but is used for mapping of food production processes to provide improved description and integration of traceability information. Information exchange technologies such as EPCIS are used for monitoring events based on logistic processes. Application of current EPCIS framework for managing food traceability information is presented by mapping the transitions identified in two product chains to the EPCIS events. The corresponding quality parameters to be linked to these EPCIS events are also identified. It was practical to map food production transitions for frozen mackerel to two EPCIS events; ObjectEvent and AggregationEvent. Because, EPCIS is based on discrete recording of events and event locations and corn wet milling is a continuous process, it was not possible to map transitions to AggregationEvent. Thus, quality parameters for transformation events for corn wet milling were linked to the subsequent ObjectEvent to provide certain extent of discretization.