Importance of Traceability in GI Products

Traceability in GI products safeguards the authenticity, heritage, and distinct flavours of GI treasures. Traceability unveils the entire trajectory of a fruit’s sustainable harvesting and distribution, serving as a preventive measure against the misuse of Geographical Indication (GI) tags. 

As of today, a total of 400 plus products are tagged as GI in our country.  

This blog explores the essence of traceability, and why it is the linchpin in ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of these exceptional and region-specific products. Dive into the realm of Geographical Indication (GI) products and uncover the pivotal role traceability plays in their story.  

What are GI products? 

A product that is identified as coming from a particular geographic place, where the product’s features, reputation, or other attributes are mostly attributable to that location, is known as a Geographical Indication (GI) product. By prohibiting producers outside of the designated region from using the geographical term without authorization, this designation serves to preserve the product’s distinctiveness and quality. Champagne, Darjeeling tea, and Roquefort cheese are a few examples. The product gains value from having GI status, which also strengthens the bond between the product and its place of origin. 

In India, Geographical Indications (GI) registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.  

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a distinctive designation permitted for use on products owing to their specific geographical origin or unique characteristics linked to the sourcing location. To qualify as a GI, this distinctive indicator must signify the product’s association with a particular location, which could range from a region or city to a more specific geographical area, rather than encompassing an entire country. 

What is Traceability? 

The capacity to monitor and follow the flow of goods, materials, or parts through different phases of manufacture, processing, and delivery within a supply chain is known as traceability.

It involves documenting and recording relevant information at each step, enabling the identification of the origin, handling, and destination of a product. Traceability is crucial for quality control, ensuring safety standards, and responding effectively to incidents like recalls. It enhances transparency, accountability, and consumer confidence by providing visibility into the entire lifecycle of a product. 

Importance of GI 

GI tagging emerges as a potent tool to enhance food safety and quality, particularly within India’s vast unorganized food processing industry. It plays a crucial role in establishing a traceable and accountable food system, linking back to the original producer to verify authenticity. Products adorned with GI tags often originate from indigenous and traditional practices passed down through generations. These items possess unique qualities that attract a dedicated clientele both nationally and globally. The conferment of GI recognition, marked by a distinct label, provides consumers with an assurance of quality and authenticity. Simultaneously, it ensures a sustained livelihood for the communities involved in their production. Beyond quality assurance, this recognition and protection empower producers to uphold precision, authenticity, and the reputation on which these products were originally crafted. 

Over the years, numerous products in India have been bestowed with Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Among the pioneers was Darjeeling Tea, receiving its GI tag in 2004. Subsequently, a diverse array of items, spanning agricultural produce, handicrafts, spices, and textiles, have been recognized with GI tags, highlighting their distinctiveness. 

Understanding Traceability in GI Products 

The capacity to track a product’s manufacturing, processing, and distribution back to its precise geographical origin is known as traceability in the context of Geographical Indications (GI). To guarantee authenticity and compliance with the distinctive qualities connected to a specific geographic area, it entails recording and confirming each step of the supply chain. By avoiding the fraudulent use of geographical indications, traceability in GI is crucial to protecting the integrity and reputation of products. 

The maintenance of the distinctiveness of Geographical Indication (GI) products is greatly aided by traceability, which makes sure that all phases of manufacturing, processing, and distribution are recorded and independently verified. This careful monitoring aids in preventing unauthorized use of the geographical indicator and preserves the distinctive features and attributes connected to the designated region 

 
One example of a famous Geographical Indication (GI) product is Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese from Italy. Its traceability practices involve recording the origin of milk, the specific production process in the designated region, and a unique stamp on each wheel that allows for easy identification. Another example is Scotch whisky from Scotland, which has strict traceability standards ensuring that every step of production, from barley cultivation to distillation and aging, adheres to the defined geographical criteria. 

How does Traceability help GI products? 

Geo-tagging the product not only ensures the fruit’s adherence to global standards but also fulfils a vital traceability requirement in food systems. Traceability provides a comprehensive account of the sustainable journey from harvesting to distribution, serving as a deterrent against the misuse of Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Furthermore, GI tags play a pivotal role in enhancing and fortifying existing certification systems in India, encompassing both natural and organic certifications. 

Securing a Geographical Indication (GI) certification for a distinctive product is a complex process, requiring a country to substantiate the product’s unique value based on its origin. It’s crucial to articulate why the product from a specific location possesses unparalleled qualities that cannot be replicated elsewhere globally. After this assertion, other countries have the opportunity to challenge the claim. 

Upon successful completion of this process and the acquisition of a GI certificate, the certified product can display the GI sign on its packaging. Traceability is a fundamental requirement for obtaining this certification, necessitating ongoing documentation of traceability data by producers. 

Regulatory Landscape: 

In order for items bearing Geographical Indications (GIs) to comply with regulatory criteria, traceability is essential. Producers are able to ensure compliance with certain geographical criteria established in regional or international standards by documenting and verifying each step of the supply chain. Traceability ensures that production, processing, and distribution are transparently documented and auditable, which supports compliance with legal requirements and protects the validity of GI products, and facilitates regulatory enforcement. 

Consumer Confidence and Trust: 

Because traceability offers transparency and assurances about the origin, authenticity, and quality of items, it has a substantial impact on consumer perception. Customers are becoming more interested in the history of the products they purchase, and traceability meets this need. It strengthens authenticity claims, cultivates trust, and raises the perceived worth of goods. In the end, traceability increases customer trust and loyalty. 

Transparent supply chains foster confidence by being upfront with information regarding the sourcing, manufacturing, and delivery of goods. This openness encourages moral behaviour, shows supply chain accountability, and empowers customers to make educated decisions. Businesses build trust, reassure customers about the validity of their products, and encourage customer loyalty by making their procedures transparent. 

Unlock the secrets of building a robust consumer brand through traceability!   

Discover how traceability can elevate your brand by fostering transparency, authenticity, and consumer trust. 
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Quality Assurance and Authenticity: 

Traceability is the process of closely monitoring and recording the manufacture, processing, and delivery of products along the supply chain in order to guarantee quality control. The product’s integrity and consistency are preserved by the prompt detection and resolution of any deviations or problems made possible by this methodical monitoring. Traceability improves overall product quality and safety by facilitating quick response to quality issues, calming customers and maintaining the brand’s reputation. 

Because traceability techniques make it possible to accurately track products along the supply chain, they act as a potent deterrent against fraud and counterfeiting. Ensuring the authenticity of commodities is facilitated by these procedures, which help detect and eliminate illegal or imitation products through accurate documentation at each level. This proactive strategy upholds brand reputation, safeguards consumers, and reinforces the overall integrity of the market by reducing the prevalence of fraudulent practices. 

Economic and Social Impact: 

Because traceability offers an open account of a product’s path from local producers to consumers, it is essential for bolstering local economies. This visibility raises the market value of products associated with a particular area, supporting the expansion of regional enterprises. Armed with information about product provenance, consumers are more inclined to choose and support local businesses, so promoting the long-term viability and health of the local economy. 

Products bearing the Geographical Indication (GI) designation strengthen local economies by highlighting and preserving the distinctive features of items connected to a particular area. Because it preserves traditional knowledge and encourages sustainable production methods, GI designation creates economic opportunities in addition to adding value to local products. This recognition enhances the visibility and marketability of local products, contributing to the socio-economic development of communities, preserving cultural heritage, and creating a sense of pride and identity among local producers. 

Challenges in Traceability in GI Products 

• Unauthorized Geographical Indication (GI) products flood the market, leading to a diminished commercial value for genuine GI products and depriving authorized producers and users of the economic advantages associated with the designation. 
• Differentiating between authentic registered GI products and unauthorized ones poses a challenging task for consumers. 
• GI products often traverse intricate supply chains with multiple stakeholders, making it challenging to implement a seamless traceability system. 
• Many GI products involve smallholder farmers or producers, and integrating traceability in such contexts may require tailored solutions to accommodate their scale and resources. 
• The diverse and sometimes traditional production methods associated with GI products can complicate the standardization of traceability processes. 
• Financial burden of technology adoption 

• Traditional practices and established systems within the GI sector may face resistance to change, making it challenging to introduce new traceability methods. 
• For GI products with global markets, coordinating traceability across international supply chains involves navigating diverse regulatory frameworks and technological standards 
• As traceability involves the collection and management of data, addressing concerns related to privacy and data security is crucial to gain stakeholder trust. 

Technology Solutions 

Blockchain, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tags, and barcode systems are among the technologies utilized in the traceability of Geographical Indication (GI) items. Real-time data is provided by barcodes and RFID tags, which make it possible to follow products at different points in the supply chain. The decentralized, unchangeable ledger provided by blockchain technology guarantees the accuracy and transparency of tracing data. 

The application of blockchain technology to preserve the Geographical Indication (GI) designation of Scotch whisky is one noteworthy case study. Working with digital companies, the Scottish government put in place a blockchain-based system that tracks every step of the production process and verifies the legitimacy of every bottle. The Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium’s effective use of RFID technology is another example. 

TraceX Solutions 

TraceX blockchain traceability solutions play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of introducing traceability in Geographical Indication (GI) products. The decentralized and transparent nature of blockchain technology offers unique advantages tailored to the intricacies of the GI sector. 

• TraceX ensures the integrity of the GI supply chain by recording each stage of production, processing, and distribution on an immutable blockchain. This addresses the complexity of supply chains associated with GI products, providing an unalterable and easily auditable record of the product’s journey from origin to market. 
• TraceX adapts to the unique characteristics of each GI product. The blockchain’s flexibility allows for the documentation of traditional and varied production methods, fostering standardization without compromising the authenticity of the production process. 
• TraceX offers scalable solutions that accommodate the scale and resources of smaller producers. The platform’s user-friendly interfaces and cost-effective implementations empower even smaller stakeholders to participate in traceability initiatives. 
• TraceX operates on a decentralized network, reducing dependence on a centralized technological framework. This enables seamless integration into regions with varying levels of technological advancement, ensuring accessibility for all participants in the GI supply chain. 
• TraceX mitigates resistance to change by providing a user-friendly and intuitive platform. It facilitates a smooth transition from traditional practices to advanced traceability methods, fostering acceptance within the GI sector. 
• TraceX simplifies the coordination of traceability across international supply chains by providing a standardized and interoperable platform. This ensures compliance with diverse regulatory frameworks and technological standards prevalent in different regions. 

Overall, TraceX acts as a catalyst for overcoming challenges in introducing traceability to GI products, promoting authenticity, transparency, and economic benefits for authorized GI producers and users. 

Case study 

Explore how TraceX technologies revolutionized the export journey for GI Tagged Nendran bananas with the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council of Kerala (VFPCK). 

Peep into our customer story 

Conclusion 

To sum up, traceability is an essential instrument for preserving the economic worth, quality, and validity of items bearing the Geographical Indication (GI) designation. It increases supply chain transparency, fosters customer confidence, and safeguards the distinctive qualities connected to particular geographic areas. Although there are difficulties, they may be solved with teamwork, uniform frameworks, and focused assistance, guaranteeing the effective deployment of traceability systems. Prioritizing traceability helps to sustain the expansion of GI products in the wider economy while also protecting local communities’ cultural identities as the global marketplace changes.