This blog focuses on security printing to prevent product counterfeiting and provide brand protection. However, the principles covered, if applied in the appropriate manner and context, can protect from product tampering, from product diversion, from product smuggling and from returns fraud. They can also enable efficient, accurate recall in case of product compromise. And, as a consequence, these technologies can SAVE LIVES even while saving money, costs, and environmental impact.

Let's look at the recent China milk scare. It affects New Zealand...

See http://www.nzherald.co.nz/dairy-industry/news/headlines.cfm?c_id=168 for related articles on the New Zealand end. New Zealand exports milk to China to powderize and sell in China and/or export--such is the way of supply chains in 2008. And the reality of this situation is that unexpected problems with product tracking and recall have arisen [See comment below--this statement has been corrected per Helen's comment].

Of course, for the provider, the Sanlu Group, these are BIG problems: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSPEK27908420080917:

"China fired four city officials and a company boss amid a widening scandal over adulterated milk powder blamed for the death of least two [three now confirmed] infants." Worse yet, the implication is that the milk was tampered with intentionally to hide the fact it was being "stretched": "Melamine, used to make plastic and other industrial products, is rich in nitrogen, an element often used to measure protein levels, and so can be used to disguise diluted milk."

How could security printing and imaging (alone or in combination with RFID, as appropriate) have prevented this tragedy? Repeat the mantra, "security is not about prevention, it's about detection and reaction". With uniquely identifiable, tamper & copy evident packaging/labeling, the offending products could be traced to the exact time and location for the assembly of these products. Sometimes inexpensively, sometimes more expensively, depending on the nature of the product and the nature of the risk to life and limb should the product be tempered with. It's more important, perhaps, to protect Tylenol than Ty-D-Bol, and to validate valium than to authenticate Old Spice. But no product should be able to slip under the radar--especially if you have to print something to convey product information anyway.

So, while several officials have now been sacked, tying the murderous manufacturing to the culpable culprits is important to help deter such a situation in the future. Security variable data printing provides auditing while helping in tracing backwards from the scene of the crime to the planning of the crime. It's about detection and reaction. It's about having every item self-report--in other words, a full provenance record on every product. It's about, possibly, saving a life.

-Steve