Determination and implementation of traceability tools for the meat and meat products supply chain to promote consumer awareness and public confidence

Abstract

Governments have focused on the design of tracking systems due to concerns about the security of imported foods and prevention of zoonotic diseases. The required infrastructure, data collection methods, and health benefits and components achieved through the implementation of traceability at the international level were reviewed and reported in the present study. The review demonstrated that the implementation of each electronic tracking system allows the identification of consumed meat from farm-to-fork. However, the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, DNA markers, and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) were indicated as the most appropriate and accurate methods for tracking the origins of consumed meat. According to our findings, regulatory bodies and policymakers need to pay robust attention to this issue to prevent the penetration of counterfeit meat products and to maintain general public health.