APPLICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS AND NETWORKS MANAGEMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF FOOD MARKET GLOBALISATION - TRACEABILITY CONCEPT

The paper aims at presenting the concept of 'food supply chain and networks management' and its components applicable in design of modern fresh and processed (frozen) food distribution systems. Introduction of the traceability concept allows analysis of shipments movements and their origin and, as a consequence tracing the movement of food and its components throughout all stages of its production and distribution. Global standardization of barcodes allows identification of the placement in space and time of food products, the sender and the destination within the food chain. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) serves that purpose. The principles of consistency and transparency in data and information exchange among the participants in the food supply chain and networks create conditions for effectivity and efficiency of food supply systems operation securing their safety and quality making full use of the resources thanks to flexibility of reaction to changes occurring in the needs appearing in the market.