Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been in use for some years in warehouses across the world.

It involves placing a very small tag on the carton or item and then a device is able to read it, which will then provide all sorts of information, including; weight, product name, correct location, manufacturer, price. The information contained is only limited by the capacity of it.

RFID  ensures that pallets in warehouses are placed into the proper location and then are transported to the correct customers. It makes warehousing much simpler and is essential in computerising storage systems.

There has been some work done to date on replacing barcodes on food products with RFID chips to make warehousing, transport and sales easier and more effective.

To extend this concept, an entrepeneur in the US has developed a supermarket stock management system that eliminates the need for the long queues at the checkout.

By using shelves that automatically weigh their contents and are linked to a computer system that knows the product and it's price, the customer uses a RFID Card that recognises what items they are purchasing.

The card greets the customer by name and is also able to offer suggestions about other items, and it also stores the actual purchases in the customers file for future reference.

Mr Ran Margalit (the creator of the system) said, “The customer enters the store, takes their items and leaves; no waiting in lines. Since pricing is updated by store managers in real-time using ShelfX software, the manual process of labeling shelves during store promotions or regular updates is not necessary.Similarly, since the checkout process is done automatically, retailers can optimise staffing levels and avoid the time-consuming practice of scanning barcodes and manually entering SKU codes.”

Manual stocktaking will be a thing of the past as the system automatically updates stock levels and can also be linked to ordering systems once a minimum level is reached.

Keep an eye out for trials.

Perhaps the biggest threat to food security in Australia is the loss of the humble honey bee. The European Honey Bee is responsible for the polination of 65 percent of all agricultural products in this countru according to a 2010 report from the Federal Government.

Food security is about making sure that the food we need now, and in the future is available where and when needed.

The Asian Bee first arrived in Cairns in 2007 and has the potential to move up to 100kms a year according to the CSIRO. It is believed that if not stopped this species could occupy the whole Australian mainland within 20 years.

Why is this a problem?

The Asian Bee eats the same food as the Honey Bee, and robs their hives. They also carry a mite that can cause deformities and sickness. As a result, whole hives of honey bees are being wiped out even as we speak.

This means less bees to be undertaking the vital task of pollinating our crops, fruits and vegetables. The impact of this on food security is beyond calculation.

A forum to discuss this vital food security issue is part of the Food Festival in Sydney and is being presented by the Australian Assocaition of Food Professionals (AAFP).

"We all love our food and we all spend so much time consumed by food that this really is just one of those very fundamental issues. Food security is such an important issue for our future." said Jodie Goldsworthy, fourth generation beekeeper and co-owner of Beechworth Honey, and forum panel member.

If you are in Sydney this week and love food, it would be worth attending the Forum at the Australian Museum from 11am.

You can find out more information about this issue by contacting secretariat@foodprofessionals.org.au