An annual benchmarking survey of six foodservice distribution facilities reveals that bar coding among foodservice manufacturers has risen. According to the 2003 survey conducted by Efficient Foodservice Response (www.efr-central.com), 77% of manufacturers utilize bar coding, which is a 5% increase over 2002 levels. The survey shows that only 74% of the bar codes, however, were scanned accurately—an 8% decrease from 2002.

Despite progress, EFR asserts that the industry must make more aggressive strides in both the use and quality of bar coding to achieve real supply chain benefits. 'A critical mass of companies using bar codes is needed to ensure better tracking of products and facilitate the electronic capture of company and product information,' says EFR's executive director Mark Allen.

Investment in equipment is cited as the biggest barrier to widespread implementation of bar coding.