GS1 and India develop tracking-based recall system

Supply chain standards group GS1 is working with the Indian government to develop a web- and mobile phone-based system to help make recalls faster and more efficient in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, according to an article in the Economic Times newspaper.

The overall aim is to bring food and drug recalls under a common, standardised system that will make use of barcodes electronic business messaging and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The article indicates that implementation could be challenging as mobile and Internet penetration has to date only "reached half its potential."