Major food companies are likely to be the first adopters of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in Ireland rather than retailers, according to Jim Bracken of GS1 Ireland.

EAN Ireland, the local body responsible for the promotion of global standards related to the use of bar coding, scanning and electronic messaging, has announced the launch of an FMCG industry group which will seek to research, source and adopt the most appropriate solutions to enable the industry to benefit from the concept of "shared data pools" in Ireland.

FOOD and beverage companies were reminded yesterday that they have only eight months to put systems in place for complying with new EU traceability requirements which come into force on January 1 next.

EAN Ireland has reminded companies operating in the food sector to put systems in place for complying with new EU traceability requirements for animal products by January 1, 2005.