Food Track and Trace Solutions
Safe food consumption is one of the main things to be considered for a healthy life. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 600 million people get sick and 420 thousand people die every year due to unsafe food products. The increase in accessible data and cases has also increased consumers’ awareness of safe food. Aware of the situation, states are working to ensure access to safe food with legal regulations and to ensure that food can be traced throughout the supply chain. While the increase in food destruction negatively affects health, it also causes serious economic losses. In order to prevent losses, companies have concentrated their studies on food safety in the light of technological developments.
The use of traceability technologies is the most effective way for consumers to access safe food. Food traceability covers defining the processes and products in the supply chain, recording them and sharing the recorded information if requested.
The globalization of the economy and the increasing acceleration of imports and exports in trade have made it mandatory to follow the products in a controlled manner at every stage. Traceability, which provides a significant benefit by keeping human health as far away from risks as possible, has many benefits in production optimization. Thanks to the system that can provide backward and forward monitoring, both the source of the problem can be found and crisis management can be performed in a healthy way. As the information recorded in the system cannot be changed in food traceability, it prevents counterfeiting and tarnishes brand’s quality. Effective use of raw materials, planning in production, determination of non-standard products, and practicalization of logistics activities are some of the gains.
Traceability is regulated by laws in Australia, Canada, Turkey and many other countries, especially the USA and the EU. Businesses that do not want to compromise their quality and brand image also use food traceability technologies effectively. Traceability systems can be applied as “full traceability”, “one step back and one step forward”. Food traceability technologies develop with the questions of “what, where, when, for what purpose”, taking into account the international market requirements. An ID must be assigned to each product at the beginning of the production in order to answer these questions. The most practical method that can be applied for the serialization process is GS1 compliant data matrix code. The fact that the information that can be transferred is detailed and the operation is low cost has made the use of data matrix widespread.
In addition to the serialization and aggregation systems used for traceability, the use of weight measuring technologies for food is also very important. The weight information on the product packaging and the inconsistency of the product weight will negatively affect the reputation of the company. Inconsistent weight causes legal sanctions, which is another negativity for businesses. High-tech automatic checkweighers measure the weight of products within the specified value ranges without interrupting the production speed. In this way, the reputation of the company is guaranteed and legal compliance is realized.
The Global Food Traceability Regulatory Applications
The USA accelerated its efforts after September 11, 2001 in order to ensure food security. In this direction, it has evaluated food safety within the scope of the Bioterrorism Law. Working carefully on food traceability, the USA has enacted the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) under the control of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Prioritizing meat and dairy products in food safety, the USA acts with the awareness of its responsibilities in the supply chain in accordance with the laws. FSMA has included a wide range of food traceability in its rules and published a list of foods that will be traceable. The work carried out has provided convenience for stakeholders and consumers in the supply chain. Also, cattle breeders, who are aware of the importance of food traceability in the United States, have developed a blockchain-based traceability system. By using food traceability technologies, farmers aim to ensure that meats are safe, maintain quality and increase value. Producers participating in the project record the process from the birth of cattle until being put on the table and record them on the blockchain infrastructure.
In 2002, the European Union took an important step towards food safety by enacting the law adopted as the European Food Law. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was established to contribute to the reliability of the food and feed chain and to ensure a high level of protection of human life and health. In 2005, food safety regulations were activated and started to be implemented.
Food traceability in the European Union General Food Law Regulation defined as the monitoring and tracking of food, feed and ingredients in all stages of production, processing and distribution. Details on food safety are included in the European Union Food Law General Requirements. In addition, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), which ensures that food safety risk is prevented before it reaches consumers, has been used efficiently for a long time. The EU, which provides information and updates on the responsibilities of stakeholders in the supply chain, continues its food traceability studies without interruption.
The Russian Federation launched the official process for traceability of a wide variety of product lines in December 2017. Under favour of the established central system, it is ensured that traceability processes are carried out. The main purpose of the National Tracking and Digital Monitoring System (Chestny Znak) used by Russia is to guarantee the originality and quality of the purchased products.
Traceability requirements and application dates vary by group. Serialization, aggregation, unit and batch traceability, crypto code implementation, reporting electronically and record management are mandatory for all product groupings within the scope of traceability. An empty area up to 15 × 15 mm on which the code will be applied on the packaging, packaging form and raw material must be suitable for serialization.
The pilot implementation, which started in July 2019 for dairy products within the scope of food traceability, was successfully completed on December 31, 2020. On January 20, 2021, the necessity of serialization application for dairy products gradually started. In line with food traceability, the date 1 June 2021 was given for ice cream and cheese, while the date 1 September 2021 was determined for other dairy products with an expiry date of more than forty days. The date announced for the mandatory serialization of dairy products with an expiry date of less than forty days is 1 December 2021.
With the law no.5179 the Republic of Turkey made some arrangements regarding the traceability of food in the domestic and foreign markets, in the phase of harmonization with the EU legislation. In 2011, with the law numbered 5996, companies were obliged to establish a traceability system for food and agricultural products:
“Article 24: Food: Any substance or product, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed, intended to be, or reasonably expected to be ingested by humans, excluding feed, live animals that are not introduced for direct human consumption, pre-harvest plants, medicinal products used for treatment purposes, cosmetics, tobacco and tobacco products, narcotic or psychotropic substances and including drinks, chewing gum and any other substance, including water, used in the production, preparation or treatment of food”
It is seen that Law No. 5996 was prepared in order to ensure food traceability. In the Official Control of Food and Feed Regulation, which was put into effect in 2011, business responsibilities for food traceability were defined. In 2012, regulations on food traceability were made in the Good Agricultural Practices Regulation.
In 2011, the General Directorate of Food and Control created the Food Safety Information System (GGBS) to ensure consumers’ access to safe food. The purpose of the system is for consumers to access safe food.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) took an important step towards food safety and enacted the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) on January 15, 2019. Food traceability requirements in the content of the regulation are based on the principles created by the International Food Standards (Codex Alimentarius). Canada, in the content of the regulation for food traceability; specified traceability requirements, labeling requirements and documentation details. Canada, in the content of the regulation for food traceability, specified traceability requirements, labeling requirements and documentation details.
In Canada, where most businesses use food traceability systems, there are also businesses that do not use these technologies. Not using traceability technologies in food production causes some problems in Canada as in many countries. Failure to ensure food safety and disruption of recycling processes can be shown as examples of these problems. SFCR requirements for food traceability are targeted to become widespread in 2020-2021, depending on the food product and production capacity.
Having an industrial background in the field of food traceability, VISIOTT TPS is a global technology company that manufactures in accordance with official regulations. As in various industries, it continues to work as your solution provider in the food sector without slowing down. VISIOTT TPS has developed its solutions in a way to cover the traceability systems of the countries, especially USA, EU, Russian Federation, Turkey, Canada and Australia. Under favour of our software and hardware for your food products, you can perform standards-compliant serialization, hierarchy establishment and notification operations.
Aseptic cartons, foil, trays, bottles and product cartons are frequently used as packaging materials in the food industry. Due to the variety of packaging, the requirements and workflows of serialization and aggregation operations should be analyzed successfully. Otherwise, serialization and aggregation operations will create a narrow pass in production lines. VISIOTT TPS produces traceability-oriented solutions regardless of the type of packaging used in the food industry.
You can make precise measurements within the specified value ranges with our high speed checkweighers. Our Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 level software we have designed allows you to manage your operations and make your official notifications. Our team that offers innovative solutions to our customers; project management, quality certificates and technical support are always at your side. You can review the solutions we developed for your serialization and aggregation processes below, and click here for more detailed information.
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