FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRACEABILITY

End-to-end traceability is the ability to track and trace information about products as they travel through the entire supply chain, from raw materials right up to the end consumer.

For example, end-to-end traceability solutions can be used to track the flow of cacao from a specific plot of land to the processing plant, through each distribution center to the retailer and finally to the finished product in the consumer’s grocery basket.

Traceability is the tool that provides visibility. It connects data at every step of the supply chain, providing detailed, real-time information about a product’s journey from raw materials to the consumer.

Every supply chain is unique. The cost will mainly be determined by:

• How many ingredients/products you want to trace
• The complexity of the supply chain: the locations and the number of participants involved
• How granular you need your data to be

No, you can decide if and when you want to involve other participants, and what information you want to share with them. Traceability and supply chain visibility can be achieved without having to onboard your trading partners.

We always recommend that you start with a single product and then add the assets you want, expanding the platform step by step. You determine where you have issues in your supply chain, and we focus on that part before scaling up to other parts if needed.

Food-related fraud and safety issues can threaten public health and destroy a brand’s reputation and finances. Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, counterfeiting, illegal practices and product diversion are a reality. Traceability can minimize the risk and mitigate these global threats while increasing supply chain efficiency.

Traceability accomplishes this by adding visibility and transparency to the global supply chain.

The most important thing is to have accurate data. This data needs to be correctly associated with a product. That is why manufacturers are digitizing the data-capture process to ensure instant and accurate data.

No, but it’s an option that is useful in some cases. You can gain visibility by tracing the item, lot/batch and/or transaction.

Internal traceability is when a company follows products in its own systems and infrastructure. For example, a manufacturer follows products once they arrive at the plant from a supplier until the point of shipping to other stakeholders (distributors/warehouses/retailers, etc.).

External traceability is when you create traceability links with the immediate suppliers of your supply chain, such as tracking barley from the farm to the manufacturing site.

Food safety refers to whether a product is safe for consumption, while food quality is more about the characteristics or standard requirements needed to satisfy the consumer.

Most countries have regulations or legislation to ensure food safety. The production, processing, packaging, labeling, distribution and retailing of food products and by-products are governed by a number of laws, regulations, codes of practice and guidelines. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets and enforces food safety regulations in the United States, and the European Food Safety Policy governs industry practices in the European Union.

• Premium wines and spirits
• Olive and truffle oils
• Honey
• Fish and seafood
• Coffee
• Processed spices such as saffron, cinnamon, black pepper and vanilla
• Caviar
• Milk powder
• Baby formula
• Meat
• Balsamic vinegar
• Fair trade/certified organic products