FDA urges the public to help in the development of affordable traceability tools to enhance food safety

The FDA launched a challenge to spur the development of affordable, tech-enabled traceability tools to help protect people and animals from contaminated foods by enabling the rapid identification of their sources and helping remove them from the marketplace as quickly as possible. The New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint was introduced a year ago. Tech-enabled traceability is one of the foundational core elements of the New Era initiative. The goal is to make foodborne illnesses more traceable to speed response time.  The FDA is asking food technology solution providers, public health advocates, entrepreneurs, and innovators to present food traceability solutions that are affordable. The challenge invites submissions for tech-enabled solutions that address the traceability needs and challenges presented. The FDA will accept submissions from June 1 through July 30 and intends to announce up to 12 winners at the end of the challenge. Winners will be selected based on how well solutions meet specific traceability challenges and demonstrate innovation, usability, affordability, scalability, and interoperability. No cash prizes will be awarded. @ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-launches-challenge-spur-development-affordable-traceability-tools-part-broader-food-safety?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery