AMPC partnered with Wessex Technology to investigate the use of Countermark to implement primal to steak and steak to primal traceability. Two methods were trialed, track 1 and track 2.
Countermark is a printed data carrier similar to a QR code that can be printed with ink jet printing.
Track 1
Track 1 trialed direct printing of Countermarks onto beef primals. The goal of this track was to determine whether it was possible to achieve primal to steak and steak to primal traceability by attaching countermarks to the steaks whilst still part of the primal, before leaving the red meat processing facility.
The primals went through two simulated journeys corresponding to the Australian domestic market and the Australian export market.
The trial showed that the ink withstood both the stimulated journeys and was still human readable.
Track 2
Track 2 trialed Countermarks that were printed on existing meat label designs. The goal of this track was to determine whether it was possible to achieve primal to steak and steak to primal traceability by attaching Countermarks to existing meat label whilst retaining existing work practices and label printing technology.
As part of the trial, Countermark servers were built into commercial meat scales and label printers to ensure the labels were automatically created as part of the regular meat processing workflow.
The trial showed that Countermark can be used to detect fake labels or fraudulent amendments to meat label.