Traceability

In food processing , the term traceability refers to the recording by means of barcodes and other tracking media, and the tracking of all  product movements and steps within the whole production process. One of the key reasons why this is such a critical point is in instances where an issue of contamination arises and a recall is required. Where traceability has been closely adhered to, it is possible to identify by precise date and location which goods must be recalled and which are safe, potentially saving millions of dollars in the recall process. Traceability within the food processing industry is also utilized to identify and improve critical production and quality areas of a business.

Electronic traceability systems are based on the use of uniquely referenced data (e.g., order date/time or a serialized sequence number, generally through the use of a barcode / RFID) which can be traced through the entire supply chain, linking together all sections of the business, including suppliers, ingredients, batch documentations, related sales orders and customers. Messages and files at any point in the system can then be audited against correctness and compliance using the traceability software to find the particular transaction and/or product within the supply chain.