RFID application in traceability of foodstuffs. Towards a high affordability in meat products

RFID technologies are not brand new anymore as a principle of communication using radio frequencies but their application on production and services sector still is uncertain because, in spite of an evident series of advantages, a deep evaluation concerning economical implication has to be made case by case. From this derives that is necessary an experimental activity and this is the way that most of the industries are following at the present moment. An important contribute to this experimental activity and to research can be provided by a test center recently established in University “La Sapienza”: RFID-Lab. This paper aims to describe advantages, disadvantages and functionalities of RFID technologies and to explain which are the activities conducted in RFID-Lab. Main focus will be directed to the exploitation of RFID technologies in the complex field of food products in order to provide a guarantee of affordability in the whole production process starting from the alive animal until the final distribution of the meat.