Blog Post
How real-time enabled asset trackers can make ineffective food supply chains a thing of the past
Website Editor • Jul 13, 2020
Access to fresh and quality foods is a luxury that is not experienced in many developing countries due to the inadequate distribution and supply of produce.
Access to fresh and abundant levels of food is a luxury not experienced by those in developing countries due to ineffective food supply chains. As the global network of food supply expands, the food supplier industry faces increasing challenges. Access to fresh and quality foods is a luxury that is not experienced in many developing countries due to the inadequate distribution and supply of produce. Dry and barren countries with uncultivable land mean that their habitats rely on external food sources to maintain their diet. A 2019 report by the United Nation
found that approximately 25% of the world population struggles to attain “safe, nutritious and sufficient” foods. This accounts for one-fourth of the global population or 2 billion people, which is an alarming number. Inequitable distribution of food goes beyond just hunger, but rather indicates a larger problem that arises from corporations. An article released on Medium by Jeremy Erdman in 2018, states that our global food production is actually highly efficient, with the current produce being enough to feed the entire population one and a half times. Therefore, the problem does not lie with inadequate food production, but rather the ineffective supply chain of fresh and quality produce. A viable solution to decreasing food supply issues is the implementation of real-time enabled asset trackers that can monitor and track the products in transport.
Achieving food security is a dream for many countries and its habitants, who deal with the supply of rotten, contaminated and inedible food deliveries. The major problem that is causing such inequitable distributions of food is wastage. An article released by Oz Harvest in 2020
reported that one-third of the world’s global food production or $1.3 billion tonnes are wasted every year. Not only does this hold social implications of malnutrition, but this level of waste costs the global economy $940 billion every year. A study released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2019
(FAO) found that 14% of all food wasted occurs between harvest and retail. This means that the current transportation and supply of food is not operating effectively to meet global needs. The most pressing issue that arises from ineffective supply of fresh food is malnutrition and its subsequent effects. A report released by the World Health Organisation in 2020
found that 47 million children are ‘wasted’ meaning they are malnourished to the point of growth stunts. Prolonged nutrient deficiencies not only result in hunger but increased susceptibility to water and airborne diseases and also increases the likelihood of premature death.
The waste that occurs in transportation is due to negligent food care that can be alleviated through real-time asset trackers. The Australian Institute of Food Safety
states that all fresh foods should be kept below 5 degrees Celsius in order to reduce the growth of bacteria. With asset trackers, companies would be able to monitor and track the constant temperature of the produce in transport. Furthermore, contamination is another major issue that leads to perished goods in transport. Strict adherence and monitoring of the packaged goods through light and temperature sensors would enable companies to ‘see’ the state of the produce in transport and take proactive measures if any issues arise. Enhancing the operational process of the global food supply chain would reap both social and economic benefits. Poor food supply and not having access to fresh food can become a memory of the past for future generations with the utilisation of real-time asset trackers. By giving corporations the ability to track and monitor the holistic viability of the produce in transport, waste occurring in transport can be greatly reduced.
Adapt Ideations smart asset tracker KELVIN
offers a solution in eradicating food wastage during transport. The smart asset tracker is fitted with location and geo-fencing capabilities that enable companies to monitor and track the exact movements of their consignments. Enhanced business control over valuable assets means that there is a reduced chance of food wastage occurring due to temperature excursions that result in perished foods. Adapt Ideations smart asset tracker
has light, shock and temperature sensors that can detect if any excursions from the set parameters occur. Any violations of set parameters of the assets result in near real-time alerts that are sent back to the business. This enables companies to take proactive measures and resolve the issue at hand. Real-time data is imperative in the growing global food supply chains, as consistent and fast communication is needed to alleviate unnecessary problems. Access to fresh and adequate food supply should be attainable for all. The utilisation of real-time enabled asset trackers will empower companies to achieve this global goal.
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With a focus on real-time monitoring through IoT solutions, we aim to showcase the advancements that contribute to the efficiency and compliance of global pharmaceutical supply chains. Evolution of Temperature-Controlled Logistics Temperature control has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last two decades. Stringent global regulations, customer demand for new temperature ranges, emerging markets with extreme temperatures, and the growing value of drugs like biologics have been essential driving forces. These factors have spurred the evolution of temperature-controlled logistics to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The landscape of temperature-controlled logistics is evolving, thanks to technological advancements. Trends include the growing availability of prequalified shippers simplifying the validation process, sophisticated supply chain services, a rising interest in reusable packaging, and advances in temperature-monitoring technology. 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