PTI Survey Seeks Industry Input on RPC Labeling Practices

The Produce Traceability Initiative’s (PTI) Technology Working Group is seeking input from growers, packers, shippers, wholesalers and repackers on their current practices for labeling returnable plastic containers (RPCs). The working group is asking companies currently packing into and labeling RPCs to take part in an online survey on their labeling practices, to help develop effective best practices for creating PTI-compliant RPC labels for shipments to the U.S. marketplace. The best practices are being developed in response to industry request.

“We have heard from numerous packers and shippers that they very much want to have a standard, baseline RPC label that is acceptable to all U.S. buyers, and we’re working toward that end,” explained Dan Vache of Washington-based United Fresh Produce Association, who co-chairs the working group. “The first step is to ensure we have a good understanding of industry’s current practices and needs.

To access the survey through Aug. 12, industry members can go to the link on the PTI home page at www.producetraceability.org.

The PTI Technology Working Group, consisting of representatives from a wide variety of technology companies, will employ the survey results to develop best practices for creating RPC labels that include information required for PTI compliance, along with customary shipper information. The new labels will also enable packers to feature other potentially requested information such as data asked for by customers or individual states.

Created by the Produce Marketing Association, Canadian Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, the PTI is an industrywide effort to create a traceability process that will permit the quick and efficient electronic tracking and tracing of produce cases between supply chain members.

For more information, contact Vache at [email protected], or 425-629-6271.