RFID sounds great, that is if you can afford it. Tracking and tracing food, ingredients, packages and pallets up and down the supply chain will certainly keep our food fresher and safer. Taking new technology one step further to areas such as the smart shelves some retailers are testing has made me a little skeptical about where all the Big Brother paraphernalia will lead us.
The inventory replenishment and safety aspect of high tech equipment is the positive thing we can gain from smart shelves and RFID technology. But think for a minute about those futuristic scenarios when a smart shelf detects Lime Doritos in your shopping cart and sends a signal announcing that you forgot the salsa and margarita salt. With the current American obesity problem, maybe you can even imagine a government public service announcement reminding you to serve healthy snacks at your weekend bash as you walk down the produce aisle with your Chunky Monkey.