DE102010002403A1 - Method of tracing bulk goods of agricultural products - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a method for tracing a bulk agricultural product produced by producers (E), in particular a food or feed, which is supplied by the producers (E) in batches (Chxy) to a distribution network that the producers (E) have via stations (ST) of the distribution network connects with end users (A), and contains proportions of selected ingredients that are contained in each batch (Chxy) in a distribution (V (Chxy)) characteristic of the batch (Chxy), in which at the entry stations (I) of the sales network assigned to the producers (E) by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy for each batch (Chxy) whose characteristic distribution (V (Chxy)) of the proportions of the selected ingredients contained therein is determined, and at at least one measuring station (M ), especially at a station (ST) of the distribution network and / or at an end customer (A), laser-induced plasma spectroscopy for several samples (S) of the do In the present product, a distribution V (S) of selected ingredients is determined, and the random samples (S) by comparing the measured distributions V (S) of the ingredients in the individual samples (S) with the characteristic distributions determined for the batches (Chxy) (V (Chxy)) can be assigned to the batch (Chxy) whose characteristic distribution (V (Chxy)) shows the greatest agreement with the distribution V (S) determined for the respective sample (S).

Description

The invention relates to a method for tracing a bulk goods produced by producers, esp. A food or feed, which is supplied by the producers in batches to a distribution network that connects the producers via stations of the distribution network with end users.

Bulk-shaped agricultural products, in particular food or feed such. As corn or cereals are produced by many different producers. These companies supply their products to a distribution network within which the product may, for a long time, pass through cross-border distribution chains running from the producer to a final consumer. The individual distribution chains make up the generally very extensive distribution network, which many producers use via a variety of different stations, such as: As local warehouse, central warehouse and decentralized warehouse, connects with many end users.

In the interests of food and feed safety, but also to inform end users and ultimately consumers, traceability of the products is desirable, allowing, in particular, end-users to determine the origin of the product they have obtained. It also seeks to ensure the transparency of the entire distribution system, by which it is possible to determine at all times when, where and by whom the product has been sent to the distribution network and which stations in the distribution network have passed through the product along its distribution chain to the end user.

The traceability of food and feed is compulsory in Europe by Regulation No 178/2002 of the European Community.

The traceability of agricultural products today can be easily achieved by labeling the packaging units wherever the products are traded in individual packaged units.

Bulk agricultural products, however, are generally supplied to the distribution network by the producers, not in individually packaged units, but in large unpacked batches. A batch includes, for example, a producer's output harvested from a given yield area in a given period of time.

To make matters worse, that the products on the way through the distribution network in storage containers, such. B. silos, which are regularly filled with several batches, esp. Batches of different producers. This can lead to a mixing of individual batches of a producer as well as to a mixing of individual batches of different producers, which can not be reversed afterwards. The subsequent removal of products from these containers can therefore no longer be traced back, from which producers the removed product originates. This is particularly problematical if it is found at any station within the distribution network or at a final consumer pollutant load of the product, which requires that the polluted product is withdrawn from circulation. Since it is not generally possible to determine from whom the product originated and how it arrived at the station, for safety reasons, all producers linked to this distribution network station via their distribution chains and all stations located within these distribution chains affected. It would, of course, be of considerable advantage to limit the number of producers concerned and the stations concerned that might have passed through the contaminated product. This could significantly reduce the amount of product to be withdrawn from circulation for safety reasons. In addition, this could limit the search for the pollutant source that led to the pollutant load to the actual producers concerned and the stations that actually passed through the polluted product to the station where the load was detected.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for tracing bulk goods delivered in batches to a distribution network.

• – das von den Erzeugern in Chargen einem Vertriebsnetz zugeführt wird, das die Erzeuger über Stationen des Vertriebsnetzes mit Endabnehmern verbindet, und
• – das Anteile an ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffen enthält, die in jeder Charge in einer für die Charge charakteristischen Verteilung enthalten sind, bei dem
• – an den Erzeugern zugeordneten Eingangsstationen des Vertriebsnetzes durch Laser induzierter Plasma Spektroskopie für jede Charge deren charakteristische Verteilung der Anteile der darin enthaltenen ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffe bestimmt wird, und
• – an mindestens einer Messstation, insb. an einer Station des Vertriebsnetzes und/oder bei einem Endabnehmer, durch Laser induzierter Plasma Spektroskopie für mehrere Stichproben des dort vorliegenden Erzeugnisses eine Verteilung der Anteile der in den Stichproben enthaltenen ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffen bestimmt wird, und
• – die Stichproben über einen Vergleich der gemessenen Verteilungen der Inhaltsstoffe in den einzelnen Stichproben mit den für die Chargen bestimmten charakteristischen Verteilungen derjenigen Charge zugeordnet werden, deren charakteristische Verteilung die größte Übereinstimmung zu der für die jeweilige Stichprobe ermittelten Verteilung aufweist.

For this purpose, the invention consists in a method for tracing a produced by producers bulk-like agricultural product, esp. Of a food or feed,

• - which is supplied by the producers in batches to a distribution network linking producers through end-user sales outlets, and
• Containing proportions of selected ingredients present in each batch in a characteristic distribution for the batch in which:
• Laser - induced plasma spectroscopy for each batch of which the characteristic distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients contained therein is determined at the entry - stations of the distribution network assigned to the producers, and
• - at least one measuring station, esp. At a station of the distribution network and / or at one end user, by laser induced plasma spectroscopy for multiple samples of the product present there, a distribution of the proportions of selected ingredients contained in the samples is determined, and
• - the samples are assigned by a comparison of the measured distributions of the ingredients in the individual samples with the characteristic distributions of the batch determined for the batches, whose characteristic distribution shows the greatest agreement with the distribution determined for the respective sample.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each batch is in each case an amount of product produced by one of the producers in a given production period and / or on a predetermined production area.

According to a further embodiment, the stations are local warehouses, central warehouses, or decentralized warehouses.

• – mehrere Stichproben der jeweiligen Charge jeweils einer Laser induzierten Plasma Spektroskopie unterzogen werden, in der die Verteilung der Anteile der ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffe in der jeweiligen Stichprobe bestimmt werden,
• – anhand der Verteilungen der Anteile in den einzelnen Stichproben eine mittlere Verteilung der Anteile bestimmt wird, und
• – diese mittlere Verteilung gleich der charakteristischen Verteilung der Anteile in der Charge gesetzt wird.

According to a development, the invention comprises a method in which the distributions of the selected ingredients characteristic of the respective batches determined at the entry stations are determined, in which

• - several samples of the respective batch are each subjected to a laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, which determines the distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients in the respective sample,
• - an average distribution of shares is determined on the basis of the distributions of shares in each sample; and
• - This average distribution is set equal to the characteristic distribution of shares in the batch.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the samples are individual bulk grains.

According to a further development, the invention comprises a method in which the distributions of the proportions of the constituents are determined by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy by measurements which are carried out at locations, in particular in tubes or on conveyor belts, which guide the product on its way into or through the distribution network.

• – an jeder Messstation die Verteilungen einer repräsentativen Anzahl von Stichproben bestimmt werden und jede Stichprobe jeweils einer Charge zugeordnet wird, und
• – anhand dieser Zuordnungen die Chargen identifiziert werden, aus denen das an dieser Messstation vorliegende Erzeugnis stammt, und
• – die anteilige Zusammensetzung des an dieser Messstation vorliegenden Erzeugnisses aus aus diesen identifizierten Chargen stammendem Erzeugnis bestimmt wird.

According to a development, the invention comprises a method in which

• - At each measuring station, the distributions of a representative number of samples are determined and each sample is assigned to a batch, and
• - by means of these allocations, the batches from which the product at this measuring station originates are identified, and
• - the proportionate composition of the product present at this measuring station is determined from products derived from those identified batches.

• – die Erzeuger, die von diesen Erzeugern dem Vertriebsnetz zugeführten Chargen und die zugehörigen für die jeweilige Charge charakteristischen Verteilungen der Anteile der ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffe in einer Datenbank erfasst werden, und
• – die Zuordnung der an den Messstationen der Laser induzierten Plasma Spektroskopie unterzogenen Stichproben zu den Chargen anhand der in der Datenbank erfassten charakteristischen Verteilungen erfolgt.

According to one embodiment, the invention comprises a method in which

• - the producers, the batches supplied by these producers to the distribution network and the corresponding distributions of the proportions of the selected ingredients characteristic of the batch, are recorded in a database, and
• - the assignment of the plasma spectroscopy induced laser spectroscopy stations to the batches is based on the characteristic distributions recorded in the database.

According to one embodiment of the last-mentioned embodiment, the database is a central database which is supplied with data via the Internet and queried.

In this case, preferably an Internet-enabled open industrial standard, esp. OPC, is used for the data transfer to and from the database, and / or a visual representation of inputs, outputs, and individually retrievable data and / or information is in a visualizable via an Internet browser form.

• – an allen Messstationen anhand der Zuordnungen der Stichproben zu den Chargen diejenigen Chargen ermittelt werden, aus denen das an dieser Messstation vorliegende Erzeugnis stammt, und
• – in der Datenbank erfasst wird, zu welchen Zeiten aus diesen Chargen stammendes Erzeugnis die jeweilige Messstation durchlaufen hat.

According to a development, the invention comprises a method in which

• - at all measuring stations, on the basis of the assignments of the samples to the batches, those batches are determined from which the product present at this measuring station originates, and
• - the database records the times at which products originating from these batches passed through the respective measuring station.

According to a development of the last-mentioned further development, the invention comprises a method in which, based on the data of the database, at least one of the batches supplied to the distribution network is determined by an associated distribution chain running through individual measuring stations, which has passed through the product originating from this batch.

According to a development of the last-mentioned development, the invention comprises a method in which, based on the times at which the product originating from this batch has passed through the individual measuring stations of its distribution chain, a time schedule is derived which indicates when products originating from this batch pass through which measuring stations Has.

According to a further development, based on the data of the database, starting from a measuring station, it is determined via which measuring stations the product possibly present therefrom from different batches of one or more producers has reached this measuring station.

According to a further development, based on the data of the database, starting from a measuring station, it is determined via which measuring stations the product originating there, possibly from different batches of one or more producers, has reached which end customers via which measuring stations.

• – an mindestens einem Ort innerhalb des Vertriebsnetzes oder bei einem Endabnehmer eine Überprüfung des dort vorliegenden Erzeugnisses auf mindestens einen Schadstoff erfolgt,
• – für mehrere Stichproben des bei der Überprüfung ermittelten mit Schadstoffen belasten Erzeugnisses durch Laser induzierter Plasma Spektroskopie eine Verteilung der Anteile der in den Stichproben enthaltenen ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffen bestimmt wird, und
• – die Stichproben über einen Vergleich der gemessenen Verteilungen der Inhaltsstoffe in den einzelnen Stichproben mit den für die Chargen bestimmten charakteristischen Verteilungen, derjenigen Charge zugeordnet werden, deren charakteristische Verteilung die größte Übereinstimmung zu der für die Stichprobe ermittelten Verteilung aufweist, und
• – anhand dieser Zuordnungen die Chargen, aus denen das Erzeugnis stammt, und die zugehörigen Erzeuger ermittelt werden.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a development of the method according to the invention, in which

• - there is at least one location within the distribution network or, for a final consumer, a check of the product present there for at least one pollutant,
• For multiple samples of the contaminated product determined by the test, a distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients in the samples is determined by laser induced plasma spectroscopy, and
• - the samples are obtained by comparing the measured distributions of the constituents in the individual samples with the characteristic distributions determined for the lots, that batch whose characteristic distribution has the greatest agreement with the distribution determined for the sample, and
• - these allocations identify the lots from which the product originates and the associated producers.

• – die ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffe diese Schadstoffe umfassen, und
• – an diesen Eingangsstationen und/oder Messstationen anhand der dort mittels Plasma induzierter Laser Spektroskopie ermittelten Verteilungen der Anteile der ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffe die relativen Höhen der Anteile der jeweiligen Schadstoffe bestimmt werden.

According to a further development, the invention comprises a method in which the product is monitored for at least one pollutant at at least one input station and / or at at least one measuring station by

• - the ingredients selected contain these pollutants, and
• - At these input stations and / or measuring stations based on the there determined by plasma induced laser spectroscopy distributions of the proportions of the selected ingredients, the relative heights of the proportions of the respective pollutants are determined.

• – das Erzeugnis mindestens einen Inhaltstoff enthält, der in allen Chargen immer in nahezu gleicher Konzentration enthalten ist,
• – dieser Inhaltstoff einer der ausgewählten Inhaltsstoffe ist, und
• – anhand der relativen Höhe des immer in nahezu gleicher Konzentration enthaltenen Inhaltsstoffs, der Konzentration dieses Inhaltsstoffs im Erzeugnis und der relativen Höhen der Anteile der Schadstoffe in den einzelnen Verteilungen die absoluten Höhen der Anteile der Schadstoffe bestimmt werden.

According to a development of the latter development, the invention comprises a method in which

• - the product contains at least one ingredient which is always present in almost the same concentration in all batches,
• - this ingredient is one of the selected ingredients, and
• - the relative levels of the ingredient, which are always in almost the same concentration, the concentration of that ingredient in the product and the relative levels of pollutant levels in each distribution determine the absolute levels of pollutant levels.

According to a further development, the relative or absolute levels of the components of the pollutants determined by the distributions are monitored, and a warning, an alarm and / or a recall action are triggered if the relative or absolute level of the portion of one of the pollutants exceeds a predetermined limit ,

The invention and further advantages will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the drawing, in which an embodiment is shown; the same elements are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows: a distribution network for an agricultural product;

2 1 shows a measuring device for determining a distribution of proportions of selected ingredients contained in the product by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy;

3 shows: a means of the measuring device of 2 certain distribution of ingredients in a wheat sample; and

4 1 shows a detail of a measuring device with which the measurement of the distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients in product samples transported on a conveyor belt is carried out.

1 shows a greatly simplified sales network for bulk goods. These include esp. Food or feed, such. As corn or cereals. The distribution network connects several producers E, here the generators E1, E2, E3 shown by way of example, via different stations ST, in this case the stations ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5 illustrated by way of example, with at least one end user A, here the end user A1 illustrated by way of example , A2, A3, A4. The stations ST are z. B. local bearings 1 . 3 , such as B. Warehouses of a local cooperative, central warehouse 5 , and decentralized camps 7 . 9 , Producers E supply the product they produce to the distribution network in individual batches Ch _xy . In the illustrated example, the producer E1 delivers his products to the local warehouse 1 , Producers E2 and E3 supply the local warehouse 3 ,

The local camp 3 supply a central warehouse 5 a wholesaler, who in turn decentralized warehouse 7 supplied by the wholesaler to end users A, z. B. flour mills supplied. The sales network includes a large number of possible distribution chains. A distribution chain refers to a chaining of the individual connection paths on which the product of a producer E via one or more stations ST, here one of the local warehouse 1 . 3 , the central warehouse 5 and one of the decentralized camps 7 , to its end users A arrives.

The tracing method according to the invention described in detail below is applicable to all bulk goods which contain proportions of selected ingredients which are contained in each individual batch Ch _xy in a quantitative distribution characteristic of the respective batch Ch _xy .

Agricultural products are natural products that have a variety of ingredients whose proportionate distribution in the product significantly from the environmental influences occurring during production, such. As the soil conditions, the temperature and the precipitate, during the production of supplied substances such. Nutrients, fertilizers, and pesticides, and the period of production. These factors are reflected, in particular, in the mineral content and the heavy metal content of the products.

They result in the composition of products of different producers differing in characteristics characteristic of the individual producers. In addition, the compositions of products of a producer produced at different production periods and / or on different product areas also differ regularly from one another in a characteristic manner for the production periods and / or the production areas.

Batches in the meaning of the invention are distinguishable by the composition of the product contained therein distinguishable product quantities. Of course, the smaller the amount of product contained in the individual batches, the more accurate and targeted the traceability according to the invention is.

Thus, depending on the distinctive character of the compositions of the product, a batch is the total quantity of a producer produced in a production period, or a defined subset of that quantity. Distinct subsets are, for example, product quantities generated in a given production period and / or on a given production area.

By comparative analysis of the ingredients of product samples that come from different producers, which were produced in different predetermined production periods and / or produced on different given production areas, those ingredients can be selected from the ingredients whose concentration in the product as high as possible dependent on the conditions of production.

The relative heights of the proportions of the individual ingredients selected in the product appear in a distribution which, like a fingerprint, is characteristic of each discernible batch Ch _xy . Accordingly, the single lot Ch _xy can be identified by this distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients. The identification of the individual batch Ch _xy then identifies not only the associated producer E, but also the production period and / or the production area, depending on the batch size predetermined by the distinctive character of the compositions of the respective product.

Since the distribution of the relative levels of the contents of the individual constituents is already characteristic of the individual charge Ch _xy , an exact quantitative determination of the heights of the individual fractions is not necessary.

Extensive comparative analyzes of cereals have shown that, for example by selecting the ingredients potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbon and phosphorus, the distribution of the proportions of these ingredients in corresponding cereal samples can be used to determine the associated production period and the associated production area.

According to the present invention, input stations I assigned to the individual producers E, here the input stations I1, I2, I3 of the distribution network, are determined by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy for each individual batch Ch _xy whose characteristic distribution of the selected ingredients contained therein.

For example, on-line executable analyzes of ingredients of cereals by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy are in the 1997 on pages 131 to 136 in Issue 3, Volume 51 of the Journal of Cereals, Flour and Bread published articles, 'On-line mineral analysis of wheat grains and flours using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy' described.

2 shows a schematic diagram of a corresponding measuring arrangement. It includes one to a power supply 11 connected laser 13 that generates laser beams. The laser beams are transmitted via a transmission optics 15 , z. As a mirror / lens system coupled, bundled and, for example in the form of individual pulses, on the product to be examined sample 17 , z. B. a single bulk grain of the product directed. By doing this in the product sample 17 High energy density generated depends on the height of the entire product sample 17 or part of it evaporates abruptly. The result is a plasma that emits light with a frequency spectrum reflecting the composition of the plasma.

The emitted light is transmitted via a receiver optics 19 , z. B. a collection lens system, on a light guide 21 bundled the light to a spectrograph 23 supplies. The latter decomposes the light into its spectral components and leads them to a detector 25 , z. B. a CCD camera to, which detects the intensities I (λ) of the individual spectral lines as a function of their wavelength λ.

3 shows the with the measuring arrangement of 2 recorded intensities I (λ) as a function of their wavelength λ of the light emitted by a cereal grain which has been displaced by laser bombardment in the plasma state. This results in an intensity distribution which has clear maxima at the wavelengths at which the individual constituents of the grain, in this case potassium K, calcium Ca, magnesium Mg, carbon C and phosphorus P, emit light in the plasma state. The amplitude of the maxima is proportional to the relative height of the portion of the respective ingredient, which is assigned to this maximum on the basis of the associated wavelength.

The measured intensities I (λ) become an analysis unit 27 , For example, a PC supplied, which determines a distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients. This is the whole Intensity spectrum normalized, and determined by the normalization amplitudes of the maxima of each selected ingredients. The amplitude spectrum of the maxima of the peaks associated with the selected ingredients via the associated wavelengths reflects the distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients.

The height of the energy density and the pulse duration of the individual pulses of the laser light determines the penetration depth of the laser light into the respective product sample 17 , Accordingly, by adjusting these parameters, the distribution of the selected ingredients in the outer shell of the product sample 17 or in the product sample 17 be measured in total. In both cases, the resulting distributions are characteristic. However, depending on the nature of the product, they may be very different as some products contain certain ingredients exclusively in their shell, while others contain predominantly their core. For a reliable identification of the batches Ch _xy , it is therefore necessary to determine all relevant distributions of the selected ingredients by laser induced plasma spectroscopy carried out under identical conditions.

The above-described analysis for the determination of the selected ingredients is preferably carried out both for the distributions of the components in the shell and for the distributions of the components in the core, so that from this distribution (in the shell or in the core) and those ingredients are selected which are most distinctive.

However, it is quite possible to carry out a redundant process without extensive additional effort, in which the distribution of the components in the core of the ingredients selected for this purpose is determined throughout the entire process, as well as the distribution of the proportions in the shell of the ingredients selected therefor.

The measurements of the distributions of the ingredients by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy are preferably carried out in the form of on-line measurements at locations which the product passes through anyway. This is possible because the laser-induced plasma spectroscopy has extremely short measuring times, since the product evaporates abruptly under laser bombardment. The laser beams can be so strong, z. B. to a beam diameter of a few hundred micrometers, be bundled that is ensured that each only a single the measuring location passing bulk material grain is taken, and the emitted light correspondingly comes only from a single bulk material grain. If the product moves during the measurements, it can happen that individual laser pulses do not hit a bulk material grain. However, this case can be recognized directly on the basis of the intensity spectrum detected thereby, that is then discarded accordingly.

The measurements can, for example - as in 2 shown - in a tube 29 are listed on the one not shown here, for. B. a silo or a transport vehicle container, filled or emptied. The pipe 29 may be a main pipe leading the product or else a bypass running parallel to it from the product. The pipe 29 has a window 31 through, through the pipe 29 product flowing through is bombarded with laser light. By appropriate focusing of the laser light, the light is concentrated to the size of a single bulk grain. If a laser pulse strikes a bulk material grain passing by, it evaporates abruptly and emits the spectrum of light characteristic of its composition, which is then emitted by the receiving optics 19 recorded and evaluated.

Similarly, the measurements can also be on a conveyor belt 33 be executed on the laser 13 and receiving optics 19 be aligned accordingly. An example of this is in 4 shown.

Alternatively, the samples S may be taken in the classical way and the measurements may be performed shielded from the environment. This variant is esp. Used where, z. B. due to flour dust, there is an increased risk of explosion.

In the case of products in which the distribution of shares may vary slightly even within one batch Ch _xy , it is preferable to use a number of samples to determine the distribution characteristic of the batch Ch _xy . B. several bulk grains, laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, in which the distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients are determined in each sample. Then, based on the distributions of the shares in the individual samples, an average distribution of the shares is determined, and this average distribution is set equal to the characteristic distribution of the shares in the respective batch Ch _xy .

The entry stations I at which the characteristic distributions of the proportions of the selected ingredients of the batches Ch _{xy are} determined are located directly with the producers E or at a location at an entrance to the distribution network where the product is clearly assigned to the batches Ch _xy and is still given to the respective producer E. For example, the input station I1 is located at the entrance of the local warehouse 1 in that the producer E1 is successively filled with individual batches Ch _xy , while the input stations I2 and I3 are arranged directly at the producers E2 and E3 respectively at the outlet of a collecting container via which the individual batches Ch _{xy are made available} for loading.

At each input station I, the individual batches Ch _xy are detected and assigned to the respective producer E in a unique manner. For this purpose, a unique identifier for each producer E and a unique batch identifier for each batch Ch _xy assigned. The batch identifications of the batches Ch _xy detected at the entry stations I are stored together with the product identifications of the associated producer E in an in 1 as a functional block represented database 35 stored. Additionally, in the database 35 a unique input station identification of the respective input station I, as well as the date and time of receipt of the respective batch Ch _xy at this input station I, stored under the respective batch identifier.

Database 35 is preferably an on-line database accessible via the Internet. This offers the advantage of having the database 35 can be fed and queried with data anywhere in the world.

Thus the connection of all possible participants to the database 35 , in particular all entrepreneurs involved in any way in the distribution network, such as: As generator E, warehouse operator and end user A, and the measuring stations M, if possible without pre-installations, is for the data transfer to and from the database 35 preferably an Internet-enabled open industry standard, esp. OPC used. A visual representation of inputs, outputs, individually retrievable data and / or information, etc., preferably takes place in a form that can be displayed by the participants via their Internet browser.

At the input stations I, for each charge Ch _xy , as described above, laser-induced plasma spectroscopy determines its characteristic distribution V (CH _xy ) of the selected ingredients. These characteristic distributions V (CH _xy ) are assigned to the corresponding batch Ch _xy in the database 35 stored.

According to the invention, a distribution V (S) of the proportions of the selected ingredients contained in the samples S is determined at least one measuring station M within the distribution network for a plurality of samples S of the product present there by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy.

The measuring stations M are located at the individual stations ST of the distribution network and / or at the individual end customers A. Preferably, a nationwide network of measuring stations M is provided, which includes all stations ST of the distribution network and all end customers A. Where this is not possible, alternatively, a limited network of measuring stations M can be used, which preferably comprises all end users A, and as far as possible at least those stations ST, which have a key role in the distribution network. The latter is the case, for example, at stations ST, where very many distribution chains intersect.

The laser-induced plasma spectroscopy of Samples S shall be performed in relation to the transmitted laser light and the processing of the emitted light in exactly the same way as the laser-induced plasma spectroscopy performed at the entrance stations I.

Subsequently, the distributions V (S) of the proportions of the selected ingredients of the samples S are compared with the characteristic distributions V (Ch _xy ) of the selected ingredients of the individual batches Ch _xy supplied to the distribution network. This comparison is preferably made via appropriate software in one to the database 35 connected central evaluation system 37 , z. B. a mainframe executed. This has the advantage that the data transfer required for the comparison can be kept extremely low, and the required software has to be implemented only at a central location.

By way of this comparison, for each random sample S the batch Ch _{xy is} determined whose characteristic distribution V (CH _xy ) has the greatest agreement with the distribution V (S) determined for the respective random sample S. The sample S is assigned to the batch Ch _xy determined in this way. Through this assignment, S is the database for each sample 35 traceable from which batch Ch _xy it comes from and from which producer E it was produced. With the method according to the invention, the origin of each sample S is determined in this way.

Preferably, for each measuring station M a unique measuring station identifier, z. B. in the form of a station or end user identifier, and assigned a unique sampling for each sample S, and there are the distributions V (S) of the proportions of the selected ingredients of the individual samples S together with their sampling, the measuring station identifier at the respective Sample S was analyzed by laser induced plasma spectroscopy, and date and time of analysis, in the database 35 stored. This is done in the database 35 preferably with an assignment of the respective sample S to the batch Ch _xy determined by the comparison and / or its producer E.

Within the distribution network, a mixing of batches Ch _xy one or different producers E may have taken place on the different paths leading from different producers E to the respective measuring station M. The mixing ratio of the mixed batches Ch _xy in which the product is present at the respective measuring station M, determined according to the rules of the statistics and the probability calculation, the number of samples S, which are each assigned by their assignment of one of the mixed batches Ch _xy .

In this case, a representative number of samples S per product line passing through the measuring station M is preferably assigned, which is set so high that, according to the rules of statistics and the probability, it can be assumed that at least one of these lots belongs to each contained batch Ch _xy Ch _xy originating sample is, and which is preferably so high that the numbers of samples coming from the individual batches Ch _xy , the mixture ratio of the product amount reliably reflect again. The actual number to be compared to the quantity of products depends very much on the complexity of the distribution network and the number of different possible mixed batches Ch _xy . While at measuring stations M, where the product present there only a few, z. B. can come two or three different batches Ch _xy, meet a few sample S per metric ton of product, may require a few hundred samples S per tonne in more complex distribution networks entirely. According to the invention, the individual chucks C _xy contained here in the product are identified at measuring stations M via a representative number of samples S. In addition, within the error limits set by the statistics and the probability calculation, the proportionate composition of the product present at the measuring station M is calculated from these batches Ch _xy .

The greater the number of measuring stations M within the distribution network at which the incoming or outgoing product is sampled by sampling S on its batch identity and / or its producer E, the more precisely can the individual distribution chains comprising the individual batches supplied to the distribution network Ch _xy as a whole or even split into partial batches, go through, be documented and traced back.

For this purpose, it is determined at all measuring stations M, based on the assignments, from which batches Ch _xy the product passing through the respective measuring station M originates. The information about which batch Ch _xy originating product at which times which of these measuring stations M has passed through the identifiers of the respective measuring station M, the identifiers of the respective batch Ch _xy and the associated measurement times in the database 35 stored.

The processing of the information takes place, for example, in the database 35 connected evaluation system 37 that now based on the data of the database 35 through appropriate software is able to answer a variety of different requests.

The most important request is the basic tracing, in which the evaluation system 37 permanently or on request for each of the measuring stations M the origin, ie the producers E of which the present product was produced and the batches Ch _xy from which it originates, determined.

As a result of this form of traceability according to the invention, reliable and comprehensive information about the origin of the product present there is still available at each measuring station M even if mixing of product from different batches Ch _{xy has} taken place beforehand within the distribution network.

In addition, the evaluation system determines 37 based on the data of the database 35 , z. B. triggered by a corresponding user request, for one or more the distribution network supplied batches Ch _xy respectively the associated on the corresponding measuring stations M running distribution chains, which has passed through the product from this batch Ch _xy product as a whole or divided into partial batches. By means of a corresponding recording of the measuring times, at which the samples S are assigned to the batch Ch _xy by means of their distributions, in the database 35 In addition, a schedule is derived from this, which indicates when from this batch Ch _xy originating product has passed through the measuring stations M of the distribution chain.

In addition, with the widest possible arrangement of measuring stations M at each measuring station M, it can be determined downstream via which measuring stations M the product possibly present therefrom from different batches Ch _{xy of} one or more producers E has arrived at this measuring station M and are ascertained upstream, via which measuring stations M the product outgoing there has reached which end takers A.

As a result, the food or feed safety is drastically increased. If, for example, an increased load of the product with pollutants is detected at any measuring station M within the distribution network or at a final consumer A, the method according to the invention can be used to determine directly from which batches Ch _xy which producer E originates from this product. In addition, the distribution chain on which the product contaminated with pollutants has reached this measuring station M can be traced. Corresponding pollutant warnings can now be deliberately declared by mentioning the affected measuring stations M and generators E lying upstream of this measuring station M and measuring stations M and end takers A located downstream of these measuring stations M. Any necessary product recall campaigns for contaminated products can now be effectively and effectively limited to the parts of the distribution network that are actually affected, without affecting consumer safety. In addition, the search for the cause of the pollutant load on the upstream of this measuring station M actually affected parts of the distribution network can be limited, and thus executed much more effective and faster.

The monitoring of agricultural products for pollutants such. As cadmium, mercury and lead, is now usually in more or less regular intervals at selected locations within the distribution network, usually at the end customers A, by samples are taken and subjected to a detailed analysis.

By a corresponding extension of the ingredients selected for the traceability according to the invention to the pollutants to be monitored, it is possible to carry out the pollutant monitoring at individual or all input stations I and / or measuring stations M as an integral part of the traceability process.

For this purpose, the list of selected ingredients whose distribution at the corresponding input stations I and / or measuring stations M is determined, at least where a pollutant monitoring for certain pollutants, such. As cadmium, mercury and / or lead, is desired, extended so that it includes the corresponding pollutants. If one of the pollutants occurs in the product present at the measuring station M, then the distribution of the pollutants loaded with this pollutant S has a maximum at the wavelength corresponding to the pollutant. The actual monitoring can now be based on the distributions V (S) directly in the analysis unit 27 the measuring arrangement on site or with appropriate transmission of the determined distributions V (S) to the database 35 in the connected evaluation system 37 be executed. In both cases, the relative level of the amplitude of the proportions of the respective pollutants is monitored. If this relative height exceeds a predetermined limit value, the presence of this pollutant is recognized and preferably in the database 35 documented. The relative level of the pollutant content already provides an approximate measure of the level of pollutant concentration.

If the product has an ingredient which is always present in almost the same concentration in all batches Ch _{xy of} all producers E, this ingredient is preferably included as an additional selected ingredient and the relative level of the portion of this ingredient is detected by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy. The relative level of the content of this ingredient forms a reference by which the pollutant content can be quantified. In this case, based on the relative amount of the ingredient always contained in almost the same concentration, the concentration of this ingredient in the product and the relative heights of the proportions of the corresponding pollutants in the individual distributions determines the absolute levels of the proportions of the respective pollutants.

On the basis of this reference, of course, the proportions of all other selected ingredients can be determined quantitatively. Preferably, the relative or absolute levels of pollutant levels determined from the distributions are permanently monitored and a warning, alarm and / or recall initiated when the relative or absolute level of the portion of one of the pollutants exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In this case, the method according to the invention for tracing offers the advantage already explained above that immediate, comprehensive, safety-oriented and extremely effective action can be taken.

Since the pollutant monitoring at the individual input stations I and the measuring stations M can be carried out practically without additional effort and without additional costs, it is recommended to carry out the pollutant monitoring at all input stations I and at all measuring stations M. This offers additional security, since pollutant loads are thus detected extremely early, and a further spread of the contaminated products can be prevented immediately. In addition, the search for the pollutant source can be drastically improved by the tracing invention.

For example, when transporting a product load from the local warehouse 3 to the central warehouse 5 a polluted vehicle would be used, and the two stations ST2 and ST3, so the local warehouse 3 and the central warehouse 5 Measuring stations are M, at which a pollutant check is performed, the review results only at station ST3 pollutant load, but not at station ST2. Thus, the pollutant source directly on the basis of the measurement times detectable vehicle and the central warehouse 5 self-limited. 1 producer 3 local warehouse 5 central warehouse 7 decentralized warehouse 9 end users 11 power supply 13 laser 15 transmission optics 17 product sample 19 receiving optics 21 optical fiber 23 spectrograph 25 detector 27 analysis unit 29 pipe 31 window 33 conveyor belt 35 Database 37 evaluation system

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• 1997 on pages 131 to 136 in Issue 3, year 51 of the journal for cereals, flour and bread articles appeared, 'On-line mineral analysis of wheat grains and flours using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy' [0045]

Claims (19)

Method for tracing a bulk goods produced by producers (E), in particular a foodstuff or feedstuff, - which is supplied by the producers (E) in batches (Ch _xy ) to a distribution network which distributes the producers (E) via stations (E) ST) of the distribution network with end users (A), and - which contains proportions of selected ingredients contained in each batch (Ch _xy ) in a distribution characteristic of the batch (Ch _xy ) (V (Ch _xy )) the input stations (I) of the distribution network assigned to the generators (I) of the distribution network are determined by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy for each batch (Ch _xy ) whose characteristic distribution (V (Ch _xy )) of the components of the selected ingredients contained therein; at least one measuring station (M), in particular at a station (ST) of the distribution network and / or at a final consumer (A), by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy for several engraving pr above (S) of the product present there, a distribution V (S) of the proportions of the selected ingredients contained in the samples (S) is determined, and - the samples (S) by comparing the measured distributions V (S) of the ingredients in the individual samples (S) with the characteristic distributions (V (Ch _xy )) determined for the batches (Ch _xy ), which are assigned to the batch (Ch _xy ) whose characteristic distribution (V (Ch _xy )) is the largest match to the for the sample (S) determined distribution V (S). Method according to claim 1, wherein each batch (Ch _xy ) is in each case a product quantity produced by one of the producers (E) in a given production period and / or on a predetermined production area. Method according to Claim 1, in which the stations (ST) have local bearings ( 1 . 3 ), Central warehouse ( 5 ), or decentralized warehouse ( 7 . 9 ) are. Method according to Claim 1, in which the distributions (V (Ch _xy )) of the selected ingredients which are characteristic of the respective batches (Ch _xy ) and determined at the input stations (I) are determined in which - a plurality of samples (S) of the respective batch ( Ch _xy ) are each subjected to a laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, in which the distribution of the proportions of the selected ingredients in each sample (S) are determined, - Based on the distributions of the shares in each sample (S) determines an average distribution of the shares and - this mean distribution is set equal to the characteristic distribution (V (Ch _xy )) of the fractions of the charge (Ch _xy ). The method of claim 1 or 4, wherein the samples (S) are individual bulk grains. Method according to Claim 1, in which the distributions of the proportions of the constituents are determined by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy by measurements which take place in locations, in particular in tubes ( 29 ) or on conveyor belts ( 33 ) passing through the product on its way into or through the distribution network. Method according to claim 1, in which - at each measuring station (M) the distributions of a representative number of samples (S) are determined and each sample (S) is assigned to a batch (Ch _xy ), and - based on these allocations the batches ( Ch _xy ) from which the product present at this measuring station (M) originates, and - the proportionate composition of the product present at this measuring station (M) is determined from products derived from these identified batches (Ch _xy ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the producers (E), the batches (Ch _xy ) supplied by these producers (E) to the distribution network and the associated distributions (V (Ch _xy ) characteristic of the respective batch (Ch _xy ) )) the proportions of ingredients in a database ( 35 ), and - the assignment of the samples (S) subjected to laser-induced plasma spectroscopy at the measuring stations (M) to the batches (Ch _xy ) on the basis of 35 ) recorded for the respective batches (Ch _xy ) characteristic distributions (V (Ch _xy )) takes place. Method according to Claim 8, in which the database ( 35 ) is a central database, which is supplied with data via the Internet and queried. Method according to Claim 9, in which - for the data transfer from and to the database ( 35 ) an Internet-enabled open industry standard, esp. OPC, is used, and / or - a visual representation of inputs, outputs, and individually retrievable data and / or information in a visualizable via an Internet browser form takes place. Method according to claim 8, in which - at all measuring stations (M) on the basis of the assignments of the random samples (S) to the batches (Ch _xy ) those batches (Ch _xy ) are identified from which the product present at this measuring station (M) originates , and - in the database ( 35 ), at which times the product originating from these batches (Ch _xy ) has passed through the respective measuring station (M). Method according to claim 11, in which on the basis of the data of the database ( 35 ) is determined for at least one of the distribution network supplied batch (Ch _xy ) an associated over individual measuring stations (M) extending distribution chain, which has passed from this batch (Ch _xy ) originating product. Method according to Claim 12, in which a time schedule for the time at which the product originating from this batch (Ch _xy ) passes through the individual measuring stations (M) of its distribution chain is used to indicate when and which product originates from that batch (Ch _xy ) Has passed through measuring stations (M). Method according to claim 11, in which on the basis of the data of the database ( 35 ) is determined on the basis of a measuring station (M), via which measuring stations (M) the product possibly present there from different batches (Ch _xy ) of one or more producers (E) has reached this measuring station (M). Method according to claim 11, in which on the basis of the data of the database ( 35 ) is determined on the basis of a measuring station (M), via which measuring stations (M) the product originating there possibly from different batches (Ch _xy ) of one or more producers (E) passes through which measuring stations (M) to which end customers (A) is. Method according to claim 1, in which - at least one location within the distribution network or at one end customer (A) checks the product present there for at least one pollutant, - for several random samples (S) of the pollutant-contaminated product determined during the inspection laser-induced plasma spectroscopy determines a distribution (V (S)) of the proportions of the selected ingredients contained in the samples (S), and - the samples (S) compare the measured distributions V (S) of the ingredients in the individual Random samples (S) with the characteristic distributions determined for the batches (Ch _xy ) being allocated to those batches (Ch _xy ) whose characteristic distribution has the greatest agreement with the distribution (V (S)) determined for the random sample (S), and - on the basis of these allocations, the batches (Ch _xy ) from which the product originates and the associated products ger (E) can be determined. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one input station (I) and / or at least one measuring station (M), the product is monitored for at least one pollutant by - the ingredients selected contain these pollutants, and - At these input stations (I) and / or measuring stations (M) based on the there determined by plasma induced laser spectroscopy distributions of the proportions of the selected ingredients, the relative heights of the proportions of the respective pollutants are determined. A method according to claim 17, wherein - the product contains at least one ingredient which is always present in almost equal concentration in all batches (Ch _xy ), - this ingredient is a selected ingredient, and - the relative levels of the ingredient, which are always in almost the same concentration, the concentration of that ingredient in the product and the relative levels of pollutant levels in each distribution determine the absolute levels of pollutant levels. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the relative or absolute levels of the pollutant levels determined from the distributions are monitored and a warning, alarm and / or recall is triggered when the relative or absolute level of the portion of one of the pollutants exceeds a predetermined limit.

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