Walmart Mandates PTI Compliance

Produce Tractability Initiative (PTI) came about as a response to the 2006 spinach crisis, an event that sickened hundreds, lead to the death of four people, and resulted in a complete recall of spinach products across the nation – a huge toll from both a human and economic standpoint.  Another scare in 2008 with tainted jalapenos just reinforced to the produce industry that comprehensive case-level traceability was needed.

PTI meets that need, but, up until now, compliance has been voluntary.  January 1, 2014 changes that for many in the produce supply chain when Walmart starts mandating that all fresh produce suppliers must include a PTI-compliant label on all their shipments.  Several others, including the Publix grocery store chain, are also planning on instituting a similar requirement in the near future, and they are just the early adopters.  Mike Agostini, senior director of produce for Walmart, predicts between 60%-85% compliance by the end of 2015.

As a reseller, if you have end-user customers in the produce supply chain that are not moving forward with PTI, or are hoping it is all just going to go away, now is the time to engage with them.  If you are feeling as confused about PTI as your customers, ScanSource has ISV partners who specialize in providing PTI solutions, who would be happy to help you and your customer with a PTI solution.

FoodLogiQ

Mobia Solutions

For you BarTender users, Seagull Scientific released an update in November 2013 with increased PTI label support.

Even if your customers are not supplying Walmart, now is the time to be seriously moving forward with PTI.

Want to learn more about PTI?http://www.pma.com/sites/default/files/education/PTI/index.htm