Today, more than ever before, food traceability is crucial for a number of reasons. With the increasing introduction of imports as well as changes in industry practices and consumer preferences, food traceability allows a company to protect the safety of its products. In addition, a company using food traceability can prove its compliance with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 as stipulated by the FDA.
At its core, food traceability refers to the capacity of the food and beverage industry to follow the route of food as it makes its way through the different stages. Using food traceability, a company can locate a product at any stage -- including processing, production and distribution -- within the food or supply chain.
There are two primary parts that comprise food traceability: tracking and tracing. Both components working together provide a complete solution that allows a company to implement effective controls from start to finish.
Tracing
This part of food traceability refers to the ability of a company to create, maintain and validate a product's history as it navigates through the entire food chain. A thorough tracing history provides invaluable information about the origin of a product and its movements, regardless of whether it is a batch or even a single unit.
Tracking
Though related to tracing, tracking is a different concept. It refers to the ability of the company to locate a particular product's destination at any time. This is done by following the product's path as it moves through the food or supply chain. It begins with the manufacturing point and ends with the point of consumption or the final point of sale. Tracking can also locate an entire batch of products or a single unit.
Food Safety
Tracing and tracking are the two halves of the food traceability equation. Tracking is focused on the food's destination while tracing looks to its origin. When used the right way, food traceability offers solutions to the ever-growing complexity of food safety, consumer issues and imports.
The right food traceability solution provides a company in the food and beverage industry with the information it needs to act on any potential issues. This is possible because of a focus on transparency and visibility. The information obtained from a top-notch food traceability solution means that a company can act promptly and proactively to any issues.
Compliance with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002
The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 outlined specific regulations regarding compliance. Inventory tracking and tracing from beginning to end provides a thorough snapshot of each product's journey. Required reports can easily be generated to demonstrate that PTI milestones have been met.
At FreshByte, we've applied state-of-the-art technology and solutions to food traceability. Utilizing our user-friendly programs means that food traceability is within reach for food distributors of any size or type. From streamlining operations and reducing theft to protecting food safety and ensuring compliance with government regulations, FreshByte offers fresh solutions that meet the needs of today's evolving food distributors. Contact us today to learn how you can get a free demo and discover how FreshBytes can change your company's approach to food traceability.
