Traceability

Axis 1: Process Quality System
1.8. Traceability

1.8.1. Responsibility

The company must document and implement a traceability system having the ability to follow product movement, through all of its stages, both backwards and forward.
Available and updated data must be maintained from the people responsible for applying and maintaining the traceability monitoring system during the productive flow for potential emergency cases. The personnel of the traceability system must be especially trained in the area.

1.8.2. Choosing the type of technology
The type of equipment, system and label used must be documented to implement traceability. The following are a few criteria to determine the type of technology:
a) Fast access to the data generated in the production, packaging and transportation processes.
b) Company size.
c) Amount of links in the supply chain, among others.

The type of technology must include: readers, software and printers able to perform the reading, capture, processing, coding, marking, storage, analysis, data submission …
The labels used to print identification data, must have the following features: the right size for reading, resistance, durable ink, readability (for the human eye and reading scanner), quality glue and be of food grade that does not affect product food safety.

1.8.3. Product identification
A process must be documented to monitor the product from the acquisition of supplies and materials to the end consumer. The company must be able to identify the product during its production, packaging, storage and transport.
The label must have accurate product information, according to consumer specifications and regulatory requirements of country of origin and destination. In product identification, it is essential to use a bar code (or other electronic identification system) to capture the information in an encrypted manner.
The details of product identification will be described accurately in the shipping documents delivered to customers, when the product leaves the company. This is for the product to be easily identified by the rest of the supply chain.

1.8.4. Record storage

The product identification data must be automated and captured in a unique internal traceability system in the processes developed. Data capture must be in real time and any area of the company can read the information generated for each product unit by the allocated devices.
The company must be able to respond quickly and efficiently to information requests from authorities or the distribution chain.

1.8.5. Validation of traceability systems

The company must perform a diagnosis of its traceability system and internally validate its performance through the development of pilot tests measuring the percentage of recovered information and the response time. If necessary, the relevant corrective actions must be taken.
The evaluation of the traceability system must be performed, at least, once a year, other than being documented, the percentages and times for information recover being measured. The problems detected must be pointed out: loss and incorrect capture of information, rupture of traceability, for example.

The company must document the traceability system from its suppliers and buyers. In case of having one, the company must evaluate the level of compatibility between the systems used, in case of a pollution outbreak related to its products.