The QR code reveals important information, such as who produced the food, where, for how long, and under what conditions – Photo: Disclosure

Have you ever heard of traceability? Theoretically, this tool helps track the movement of raw materials from their origin to final consumption. But in practice, traceability can dispel consumer doubts and prove that the food they take home is synonymous with health.

The state becomes safer with this type of technology, because a small code found, for example, on the packaging of fruits and vegetables, can be traced and further ensure the care and health of consumers.

The QR code shows important information, such as who produced the food, where, for how long, and under what conditions. To have access to them, it is enough to point the camera of your mobile phone and check the data on the food that we serve to our table.

Producer Marciano Möhrer’s strawberry plantation in Aguas Mornas is an example of how traceability is applied. All care for fruits is expressed in two areas: firstly, in their beauty and quality, and secondly, in the label that is attached to each tray and guarantees that the product that the buyer will consume is safe, healthy, has a guarantee origin and traceable. .

“For the time being, you have to update yourself as the market dictates, right, because it makes no sense to want to stay in the old system, in which markets are becoming more and more closed, requiring traceability, labeling, everything is right. So you have to follow the market, otherwise you will be excluded, right? This evolution is part of that,” explains the producer.

The tracking system Marciano uses, which is printed on every label, is e-origem, a pioneering initiative in Santa Catarina.

What is e-origin and how does it work?

e-origem is an offline and free online system where growers like Marciano can identify fruits and vegetables in a practical and easy way. The main purpose of traceability is to reduce or discourage the use of pesticides that are outside the current guidelines. “- He reports his production address, the addresses where he produces, what he produces, the quantity, the area and the time when his product is available for sale. Therefore, this information should be available throughout the commercialization chain,” says Alexander Mees, CIDASC manager.

After printing this QR code, the entire production system of Marciano in greenhouses, from planting to packaging and marketing, for example, is available for consultation not only to the distributor, but mainly to the consumer, responsible for charging and quality assurance. tool to be used. A factor that guarantees food safety as well as our health.

Traceability began to take off in Santa Catarina in 2008 – Photo: Disclosure

Introduction of traceability to the state

Traceability began to gain momentum in Santa Catarina in 2008 when the State Health Surveillance Service, based on fees requested by Anvisa, identified a problem in products sold primarily by Ceasa de São José.

Some of these samples showed pesticide contamination of food sold in the state. Without traceability at the time, it was impossible to locate the source of the problem.

Since then, solutions like e-origin have taken shape to ensure your family and the foods they consume are food safe, but the state government program is not the only one available on the market.

The organic plantation of your Tarsisio, for example, is certified by the Ecovida agro-ecological network, and all your citrus plantations are subject to strict technical controls in order to bring quality fruits to the consumer.

“We are subject to several checks throughout the year. We are visited by certifying bodies who follow step by step what we do, starting with the materials purchased, the amount of materials we apply to the plants and how we go about the daily life of the garden,” says producer Tarcisio Mattos. .

The site is part of a small cooperative of 10 rural organic growers in the Alfredo Wagner Region, a municipality of just over 10,000 inhabitants that is part of the Greater Florianopolis Greenbelt.

To do this, they use an accurate tracking system that details the entire production chain, including information about the use or non-use of chemical pesticides.

“Suppose traceability is almost like a SAC for a rural producer, customer service,” explains Tarcisio.

And that is the purpose of the Food Tracking and Monitoring Program, RAMA. Created by a company from Santa Catarina, in 2021 alone, the system tracked more than 2 million 600 thousand tons of food. To support traceability, RAMA is made possible by systems for tracking, monitoring results, and monitoring assays.

“- Organizing and monitoring this information allows us to have confidence in discrepancies, i.e. where the problem comes from, which product, which active ingredient, which season and region. Instead of taking large-scale and targeted actions, we end up more aggressively proposing best practices for the production process and commercialization of this product,” says Giampaolo Buso, CEO of PariPassu.

Traceability in supermarkets

Going to the supermarket is an activity that has become part of our routine. The prices may even be intimidating, but we cannot deny that this is where we buy a good part of our food, health, which we take to the table at home. In this environment, traceability is also taken seriously, especially by the professionals who supply consumers every single day. For example, without the correct identification, the product is not accepted by the institution.

In the supermarket chain in Greater Florianopolis, for example, after receiving fruits and vegetables and checking traceability, the products are separated and sent to the markets, everything is checked to ensure quality and safety during delivery. shop shelf.

After that, buyers can open the mobile phone camera, bring it closer to the QR code and get access to all the basic information about this product: who was responsible for the production, where it was produced, who distributed it and how the product was sold. took to get to the supermarket.

However, the mere fact of having a QR code with this information does not guarantee that the consumer will use this means of identification. A concern that reflects the need for constant updating of the system, as well as its distribution – not only among manufacturers, but also among consumers.

Ultimately, knowing the way the food we consume brings recognition of its production and agriculture throughout the state, leading to greater health and safety for all.

To learn more about the importance of traceability in Santa Catarina, view the full edition of the Agro, Saúde e Cooperación program we have prepared on the subject.