November 26, 2014 Industry news
The Food Information Challenge is an initiative launched by GS1 UK with the support of the Food Service Directors Group (FSDG).
The Food Information Challenge report was commissioned by the FSDG to identify challenges faced by the foodservice sector – the primary finding was that the provision of accurate, real-time product information between trading partners is a common-to-all problem.
The potential savings for industry are highly significant, and in May 2013 the FSDG issued a call to action to drive industry businesses toward speaking a ‘common language’.
Our FSDG members are leading the way on this and have shared insights with us on their progress against the industry roadmap:
“To meet the new FIR / EU1169 regulations in December 2014, Compass Group UK & Ireland recognises the need for a consistent approach to capture, maintain and share allergen information across the Foodservice sect or. It is essential that this information is accurate, complete and readily available to demand side organisations to use and display to our end consumers. We therefore support the addition of the 14 allergens that are identified in the new regulations, to the GS1 ‘core mandatory attributes’ set which will ensure owners provide this information on all new products when they are listed.”
(Oliver Cock, Managing Director, Commercial Compass Group UK & Ireland)
"Bidvest 3663 have since written to suppliers requesting they provide GTINs and bar codes for most products. By adopting GS1 standards in product identification in common with other leading foodservice companies, this further enables our goal of optimum supply chain efficiency and to deliver first class customer service."
(Jim Gouldie, Director of Supply Chain)
"In partnership with our 3PL providers, Kuehne & Nagel, Whitbread have since embarked on a programme of product identification with our suppliers using GS1’s standards. We are on target to achieve this which will enable depot scan-on-receipt by the late summer, a key milestone towards greater visibility in our Supply Chain and even better customer service."
(Brodie McMillan, Logistics Director)
"Creed Foodservice understand that the sector will benefit by using common-to-all identifiers; as well as being fundamental to projects such as our own voice picking roll out in 2014. Consequently we’ve asked all our suppliers to provide products using GS1 standards."
(Philip de Ternant, Managing Director)
"Brakes continue to support this initiative, the GS1 system underpins our customer goal: to provide the right product, in the right place with the right information."
(John Purkins, Information Quality Manager)
"GTINs are absolutely essential for computer systems to be able to communicate and pass correct product. Anyone who cannot see the necessity of using GTINs is living in the dark ages. The demand from customers and legal requirements necessitates more and more information being available at the point of sale- the use of GTINS as the universally recognised unique product identifier simplifies the transfer of CORRECT product data which helps address customer demands, legal requirements, reduces errors and reduces costs. Fairway Food Service is introducing GTINs across all Member systems and almost all of our suppliers are already using them- this is such a vital key for the future of foodservice businesses. I strongly advocate all foodservice parties “get on board.”
(Chris Binge, CEO Fairway Foodservice)
"The BFFF recognise that GS1 standards are a foundation for food service companies to build upon and resolve, for example, the demands of sharing information required under regulation EU1169 which is arguably our members’ greatest challenge currently."
(Brian Young, Chairman, BFFF).
"The new food information to consumer regulation requires manufacturers like Unilever to provide and maintain the same product information to thousands of different customers. Foodservice needs a sustainable solution to this enormous challenge, which is why we continue to support the wider adoption of GS1 standards and solutions like datapool by other foodservice companies."
(Tracey Rogers, Unilever Food Solutions MD)