May 18, 2004 1:10 PM, from staff and wire reports

Food Safe International Inc has entered into a letter of intent with DTG Industries Inc to create RFID (radio frequency identification) traceability and tracking systems for perishable fruits and vegetables.

Specifically, Food Safe will work with DTG to industrialize iPico's Dual Frequency RFID tags, readers, and middleware in perishable containers to provide full traceability from the field to the retail shelf. Both firms will market and integrate the combined system to global food producers, creating a food-source management, marketing, source verification system, and food safety process from the producer to the consumer.

Gordon Westwater, president of iPico North America, said, “With the recent influx of mad cow and bird flu in North America, there is a heightened awareness to see complete and accurate tracking and traceability for all food products that make it to our shelves.”