Traceability is a fundamental requirement of the BRC Global Standard version 5, as well as other UK, European and World food safety standards and regulations.
But, do we pay Traceability the attention it deserves and really deserves and needs?
The BRC 5 requirement for Traceability states, quote:
“The Company shall have a system to identify and trace product lots and follow this through all raw materials (including primary and any other relevant packaging materials and processing aids) all stages of processing and the distribution of the finished product to the customer in a timely manner.”
“Identification of raw materials including primary and any other relevant packaging and processing aids, intermediate/semi-processed products, part-used materials, finished products and materials pending investigation, shall be adequate to ensure traceability.”
The reality of the situation is, if people’s health and lives are at stake, traceability needs to be available at the press of a button and traceability testing needs to be carried out on a daily basis!