Traceability with teeth

It will be revealing to see how the recently announced traceability initiative from PMA, CPMA and United spurs action in the industry. Gary Fleming of PMA said implementing the kind of traceability envisioned would cost perhaps cost a few cents per case. The trouble is getting everyone on board at the same time; suppliers don't want to jump before everyone else and retailers also have their own issues. I want to rewind my interview with Fleming on the issue (including some surprising stats on industry buy-in and compliance) , but he noted that the U.S. FDA is "that close" to mandating some more specific regulation on traceability. (Picture Fleming holding his thumb and forefinger together as if adding a pinch of seasoning to spinach salad).

Anyway, after years of talk about traceability, are we to a point where this promised initiative "with teeth" can get the industry to where it needs to be? More coming....