The simplest definition of food traceability is the capability of a manufacturer to record and trace every raw material and ingredient through every single stage of the production process and distribution. The system should work in such a way that it can accurately identify the source of raw materials and also trace the final destination and consumer.
Food traceability is one of the many requirements every manufacturing and retail company should have. Not only is it critical in ensuring food safety, but it also makes it more efficient to facilitate recalls if necessary. As such, it is also vital to make sure that the system in place is effective and complies with regulatory standards. So, how do you make sure that the system you have in place is indeed effective?
What makes a food traceability system effective?
The system used by a food production or manufacturing business should meet legal regulations in tracing both individual raw ingredients and the finished product bought by consumers. Naturally, there are considerations for varying regulations that apply to each country where the product gets sold. An effective food traceability system, according to http://www.stevenstraceability.com should be capable of tracing batches or lots during each stage. Every activity related to food traceability should:
- Systematically record product codes, batch codes, and lot codes on the finished product container, paperwork, and corresponding electronic copies for archiving.
- Should not leave out any single ingredient used in production including packaging and additives.
Documentation of the information gathered at every step should also be stored in a database that allows for efficient retrieval and monitoring.
Effective food traceability documentation should clearly identify the link from one raw material to another. For instance, the record should show each batch of raw material used to produce which batch of the final product. These codes assigned to each batch should continue the link until the product hits the shelves and gets consumed. Moreover, documents should be formatted in a way that it is easy to interpret and seamlessly integrate with other programs. In general, you should be able to retrieve food traceability documents in a little as four hours should it be necessary for inspection.
What happens if a food traceability system fails?
The consequences of a failed food traceability initiative are astounding. Food recalls have a devastating financial impact on a company, not to mention the damage it will wreck on the business’ reputation. An inadequate system of tracking and tracing will make it more difficult to mitigate the problem and come up with the proper solution. Not only will this failure harm the business, but most importantly could cause a significant problem for consumers who are affected.
In conclusion, modern food production and distribution need food traceability. It is a best practice that guarantees safety and reliability. Since food is a basic necessity, companies should not be complacent in making sure that the final product distributed contains necessary information that leads back to where each ingredient came from and how it was handled. This systematic process is what makes the global food market as massive as it is today.
