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Abstract
The success of today’s highly volatile perishables supply chains depends on the level and the timeliness of product visibility. Visibility should provide answers to the questions of `where is my product’ and `what is the condition of my product’. The foundation for such visibility should be an effective and efficient information system enhanced with RFID technology. Already, several companies have begun experimenting with RFID for perishables see sidebar: Experimenting with RFID for Perishables. In this paper, we specifically explore the use of RFID-enabled sensors and examine some sample applications of these sensors in monitoring the condition of perishable products in the supply chain.
Summary
The perishables supply chain faces significant challenges, with approximately $35 billion in annual losses attributed to spoilage, despite perishables comprising only a quarter of retail inventory. This issue is exacerbated by factors such as varying perishability characteristics, long distances, and complex product flows. Customer dissatisfaction over product freshness and rising food recalls further emphasize the need for better management in this sector. One potential solution is the use of RFID-enabled sensors, particularly temperature sensors, to monitor perishable goods in transit and storage.
RFID technology, which uses radio waves to track products, can be combined with sensors to measure environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and shock. This paper focuses on RFID-based temperature sensors and their applications in the perishables supply chain. Semi-passive RFID tags, which use internal batteries to collect data, are particularly useful for cold chain monitoring. These sensors provide granular insights into temperature conditions at different points within a container, revealing non-uniform temperature profiles that are critical for understanding product quality.
Sample applications involving shipments of fruit and vegetables showed that RFID sensors could identify temperature variations and airflow issues, providing retailers with precise information on product conditions. This data allows businesses to make informed decisions, such as accepting or rejecting partial loads based on quality, and improving food safety and shelf life.
However, challenges such as tag cost, calibration, and standardization need to be addressed for broader adoption. Despite these hurdles, RFID-enabled sensors hold great promise for enhancing visibility and optimizing the perishables supply chain, ensuring higher-quality, safer products for consumers.
