In a recent article the FoodNavigator.com has reported that Greenpeace is accusing large supermarket chains to purchase beef products from Brazilian companies that practice illegal deforestation. The companies have denied these claims and pointed to their traceability systems to prove it.

We wholeheartedly welcome this news item, as it shows another use of traceability. Traceability is --as we have stated many times-- really accounting and should be used in exactly this way.

Just a little thought, though: in sustainability (an area which more and more requires traceability) there are several efforts made globally to make companies transparently show their efforts in the area of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The Global Reporting Initiative (www.globalreporting.org) is just one of them.

Perhaps a similar thing should be done to food production? Transparent food production could be a very interesting move for food companies. Similar movements from other areas (think linux and other open software) could indicate that this might be viable.