Produce Traceability Initiative

The PTI vision:

Supply chain-wide adoption of electronic traceability

for every case of produce by the year 2012.

PTI Action Plan Implementation Toolkit

To help you achieve the PTI’s vision within your company, we have assembled all the tools you need right here in this website. Below are the seven milestones to implementation as identified in the PTI Action Plan, along with implementation resources specific to each milestone. In addition to the milestone-specific resources found on this page, also visit the Resources & Tools page for additional resources.

   About PTI   Action Plan   FAQs
#1
Complete by: 1st Quarter 2009
Obtain Company Prefix
#2
Complete by: 1st Quarter 2009
Assign GTIN Numbers

Brand owners will assign 14-digit GTINs to every case configuration.

Best Practices for Preparing to Assign GTINs (January 2012)

#3
Complete by: 3rd Quarter 2009
Provide GTIN Information to Buyers

Brand owners will provide their GTINs (and corresponding data) to their buyers.

Best Practices Data Synchronization*

Data Synchronization Template*

DST Field Descriptions (October 2009)

DST Country of Origin Codes (July 2009)

DST Units of Measure Codes (July 2009)

DST Dimension Units of Measure Codes (July 2009)

DST Package Type Codes (July 2009)

Data Synchronization Worksheet Example*

#4
Complete in: 2011
Show Human-Readable Information on Cases

Packers are responsible for providing human-readable information on each case.

#5
Complete in: 2011
Encode Information in a Barcode

Packers are responsible for encoding the GTIN, lot number.

Best Practices for Formatting Case Labels (January 2012)

#6
Complete in: 2011
Read and Store Information on Inbound Cases

Each subsequent handler of the case will have the systems and capability to read and store the GTIN and lot number from each case of produce received.

Best Practices for Labeling Hybrid Pallets (December 2011)

* Under revision, check back soon

    Additional Help

Got PTI questions?

Our new webcasts have answers!

The PTI's fall 2011 webinars are now available as webcasts! You can replay them right here on the PTI website. These event recordings are designed to answer your questions about the initiative, and to help you implement PTI within your company. Six topics are covered, so you can choose the topics that are right for you.
Watch webcasts here.

 

Recent Updates

Site last updated January 27, 2012

Events: January 30, 2012
Scotia Horticultural Congress 2012

Resources: January 20, 2012
Best Practices for Product Substitutions

See complete list of Updates

 

About Us

The Produce Traceability Initiative, sponsored by Canadian Produce Marketing Association, GS1 US, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, is designed to help the industry maximize the effectiveness of current traceback procedures, while developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of traceability systems for the future.

The PTI has a bold vision which outlines a course of action to achieve supply chain-wide adoption of electronic traceability of every case of produce by the year 2012.

This website is dedicated to the PTI and serves as a central resource to provide industry members with extensive education, outreach and guidance on implementing these recommendations by the goal year.