He suggested that over the long term, companies will be more likely to turn to RFID as they learn of its other potential uses.

"A bar code label is a bar code label," Liard said. "RFID tags have more punch behind them. That tag can have additional capabilities, like temperature logging and pressure sensing. If you're talking about food safety, then temperature becomes very important. That's where the value proposition starts to increase."

While the pharmaceutical industry has a head start in implementing track-and-trace systems, it lacks focus because states have passed inconsistent laws that must all be followed, noted Jim Stroud, president and CEO of drug wholesaler Golden State Medical Supplies Inc. in Valencia, Calif.

California has gained the most attention with its electronic drug-pedigree mandate, which calls for drugs to be identified and tracked through manufacturing, shipping, storage and sales.

California lawmakers are continuing to wrangle over the wording and start dates for the mandate. Other states are working on similar laws governing drug companies.