A food producer’s reputation is fragile. One mistake can significantly affect your business. A single incident of contamination, for example, can ruin customer trust. Unfortunately, rebuilding a business after a similar mishap is a complicated process. That is why it is essential to avoid these incidents by complying with food traceability standards.
The purpose of a food traceability system is to give every business detailed information on where raw ingredients come from, as well as track the movement of products at every stage of production until it reaches the end-user.
What Is Food Lot Traceability?
Food lot traceability more specifically pertains to keeping track of every ingredient coming in, and every batch of the finished product going out of the facility daily. Without a food traceability system in place, no amount of care will prevent problems and mishaps that can eventually lead to food contamination.
What is most important in a food traceability system is the ability to label each ingredient in relation to the batch of products they eventually produce. This way, you are not only reducing risk but also effectively monitoring every stage of production. In case a batch of products has a quality issue, you can pinpoint exactly which batch of raw ingredients to pull out and inspect.
Best Practices In Implementing A Food Lot Traceability System
Before food traceability software became available, the food industry used to implement food traceability practices manually. Fortunately, technology is readily available today, which makes the task more reliable and convenient. The following best practices should guide you in implementing a food traceability system in your company’s supply chain.
Choosing The Right Platform / Software
Selecting the right food traceability system for your needs is vital. Not every software/platform is created equal. You need to look into the features, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of the system.
Establish A Definite System Of Implementation And Documentation
Even if you are relying on software, you still need to establish guidelines and rules that your employees can follow; otherwise, you cannot maintain the consistency and quality of results.
Effective Employee Training
Once you have established the procedure and guidelines, the next essential step is training your employees. Every new employee needs to undergo sufficient training before they are entrusted with the task. It is also necessary to regularly calibrate their employee knowledge and competency, especially when there are new rules and guidelines.
Create A System That Is Efficient Yet Detailed
You can always customise a food traceability system according to your needs. Out of the box applications are great, but if you prefer to tweak the process to suit your requirements, feel free to do so. What is essential to keep in mind is to ensure that whatever changes you introduce to the process still comply with industry standards.
Indeed, a food traceability solution is a non-negotiable requirement for every business involved in food production and distribution. The success of the food industry depends on these systems, not to mention the crucial objective of complying with industry-specific guidelines to guarantee public safety.
