Purpose: A series of training workshops, conducted by Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC), funded by the European Union (EU) and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), helped public and private sector professionals from selected CARIFORUM countries evaluate and enhance current traceability programs and strengthen awareness about the critical importance of traceability within the CARIFORUM Region.
Methods: IFT GFTC conducted two-day interactive traceability workshops in nine Caribbean countries from July through November, 2016, that included a series of lectures, dynamic tools, group exercises, and discussions. The participants received a preworkshop assessment to measure their baseline level of awareness and understanding of traceability. One week after the workshop, participants were sent a postworkshop electronic survey to measure their feedback on their level of satisfaction with the course, as well as course impact.
Results: More than 230 participants obtained technical assistance in understanding traceability basics, regulations, food product recalls, enhancing their traceability systems, and the development of a traceability action plan. Information about how a robust traceability system improves operational efficiencies, competitive advantages, and supply chain management were also discussed. Postworkshop surveys strongly indicated that sessions were very informative, including dialogue between the public and private sector representatives and provided an opportunity for networking among agro-processors participants.
Significance: The workshops helped participants evaluate their traceability programs and enhance traceability action plans to strengthen their entire food protection system and to achieve desired business outcomes.