mpXML and UCC to Collaborate on Global E-Business Standards for Perishables

ALEXANDRIA, Va. and PRINCETON, N.J. - The Meat and Poultry Data Standards Organization (mpXML) and the Uniform Code Council Inc. (UCC) have announced an initiative to synchronize efforts to develop global electronic trading standards for perishable meat and poultry products.

The objectives for the standards include improving supply chain efficiencies, improving category management of perishables for retailers, and encoding more detailed information.

The mpXML organization was established in 2001 to build consensus among trading partners in the meat and poultry supply chain to speed the industry-wide adoption of voluntary XML (eXtensible Markup Language) standards. Organizations supporting the mpXML mission include Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Smithfield Foods, Wegmans Food Markets, Daymon Associates, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"mpXML was created as an industry working group that seeks to rapidly integrate existing initiatives and emerging technologies to create new value through industry-wide e-business standards," said Gary Cooper, vice chairman of mpXML and vice president of Information Systems for Tyson Foods Inc. "We encourage other interested parties to join us in developing these standards. mpXML working committees are now being created, and suppliers and retailers that act quickly will have the advantage of influencing the next generation of perishable product standards from start to finish."

"As the name implies, perishables have a limited window of opportunity, and there is little margin for inefficient business practices," said Mike DiYeso, executive vice president and COO for the Uniform Code Council. "The UCC is pleased to join mpXML in the effort to bring the proven benefits of open data standards to our members in the perishable supply chain. By implementing these standards to reduce supply chain costs, companies can focus on growing their business instead of the costs of doing business."
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