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The problem
The events of September 11, 2001, and subsequent anthrax-related incidents gave rise to concerns about unconventional terrorist attacks, including the threat of harm to the U.S. food supply.
The range of agents connected to food supply terrorism is broad, and their characteristics varied; they may include: Biological and chemical agents. Naturally occurring, antibiotic-resistant, and genetically engineered substances. Deadly substances and those affecting the gastrointestinal system. Highly infectious agents and those that are not communicable. Substances readily available to the public and those that are difficult to acquire. Agents that must be “weaponized” and those that are available in a useable form.
Food product components (raw materials, warehousing, transporting, manufacturing, production) can be produced in numerous countries around the world. A final product might integrate components from China, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.
Tracking in this environment is complicated. It is difficult to identify all the final products that may be affected due to a specific component, and a potential recall may require the capability to trace backwards (to identify all the components that could affect a final product) and forward (to identify all the final products that may be affected due to a specific component. Kernel proposes KernelTrack, a Universal repository that gathers information for all components in a supply chain and integrates this information, offering backward and forward tracking capability. Some of the features of KernelTrack are: Security. The information is accessible by level, company user, supply chain users, provider users, client users, public users and certification users. Information System where all the components of the supply chain are integrated. Cost effective: doesn't require a significant investment for companies involved. Multi-company, Multi-country, Multi-product, Multi-language. Analysis capability in multiple directions; backwards-forward. Available 24/7 and easy access for analysis and to update. Granular and Flexible in detail level. User friendly graphic interface.
The current complexity
The following graph shows how a problem detected by a consumer needs to be track all the way to several companies participant in the supply chain. The process involves several companies, several regions even countries, so a robust system is needed.
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