This document discusses the importance of traceability in the food supply chain. It notes that identifying the true source of food contaminants is key to minimizing the impact of recalls. While technology can help with traceability, current record keeping requirements are only being met for one in eight food products. Food processors are turning to technology solutions that can track ingredients through all processing steps to better manage quality and meet regulations.

1. Traceability & Food Safety, Quality Management
“Identifying
the true source of food contaminants is key to
minimizing the impact of food audits or recalls”
Massive food recalls have led to the demand for greater visibility and precision in the
global food supply chain. The ability to trace food products and ingredients back to their
sources to respond quickly to recalls is critical in minimizing financial losses, illnesses, and
lost lives.
In one large-scale situation, more than 36 million pounds of processed turkey products
distributed to 26 states were recalled by Cargill, the third largest turkey processor in the
United States, for Salmonella Heidelberg bacteria – but it took five months from the first
reported case of the illness until the source of the contamination could be identified. This
delay, while the problem and source were investigated, led to a greater cost for the recall
and illnesses that should have been prevented.
Identifying the true source of food contaminants is key to minimizing the scope of the
impact. Misidentification can be costly. In one case, when a rare form of Salmonella broke
out in produce, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) initially warned the public off
tomatoes then later traced the true source to peppers produced by a farm in Mexico. Not
only did this early misinformation cost additional illnesses as the public continued to
consume contaminated peppers, it cost the tomato industry an estimated loss of $250
million in unnecessary recalls and lost sales.
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2. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 90 million people suffer
from food poisoning each year, and nearly a half a million become so sick that they have
to be hospitalized, and 5,700 more die. The total human cost is probably far greater. The
CDC also reports that for every reported case of food poisoning, ten more go unreported.
These staggering numbers have driven the federal government, through the U.S. Drug
Administration (USDA) and the FDA, to get serious about tracking and eliminating food
and beverage contamination. Over the last decade, the federal government has
introduced nearly 100 food safety legislative proposals and passed the Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA), the most far-reaching legislation to date.
The Need for Traceability
Traceability systems help firms reduce expensive overstocks, coordinate orders and
shipments, and manage inventories. Electronic accounting systems for tracking
inventory, purchases, production, and sales are an integral part of doing business in the
United States.
Today, all food processors must have the capability to rapidly identify and track every
ingredient for every one of their products from receipt through processing, packaging,
and shipping, to the exact customer location. In the case of an investigation or recall,
companies must be able to demonstrate that they have recorded this information at least
one step back and one step forward in their supply chain.
However, the U.S. Inspector General’s Office reports that despite harsh penalties for
non-compliance, these recordkeeping requirements are being met for only one of every
eight food products, and most food processing facilities do not keep records with specific
lot numbers that facilitate speedy tracking.
For most non-compliant processors, the question is not whether they should adopt
robust traceability practices. They recognize the need. The question is how to do it.
Thousands of processors are seeking answers to practical questions, such as where to
start and what steps to take to meet traceability requirements.
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3785 NW 82 ave, Suite 110, Doral - Fl 33166. Phone.: (786) 331 1281
www.celeritech.biz // info@celeritech.biz

3. Technology to the Rescue
Food processors are turning to technology solutions for traceability and visibility in the
global food supply chain. Using software that isolates quality issues, users can easily
identify and quarantine suspect material.
Processors need to tightly manage production quality, even into the suppliers’operations.
ERP systems with quality management functions enable them to do so easily and
effectively. The best-of-the-best software provides data on all processing steps in real
time during production and in archives for future reference — making traceability
information available quickly and easily. The ideal solution includes traceability features
within its inventory system.
Capabilities include serialized container and individual product tracking, built-in
barcode printing and scanning, RFID and detailed container-to-container tracking,
both upstream and downstream through production to shipment. Software
must also include non-conformance/corrective and preventative actions statistical
process control, and related functions.
Celeritech ERP solutions, include all of these functions and serve as a single source
solution to track every ingredient through all processing steps, from receipt through
finished product shipment. We offer an open & flexible technology platform supported by
a service-oriented architecture.
We help:
 Minimize risk of losing customer trust by professionally managing a possible
recall of a defective batch
 Minimize risk of noncompliance with food regulations
 Enable effective batch-specific returns processing
 Monitor materials planning, sales and distribution, procurement and production
nd
3785 NW 82 ave, Suite 110, Doral - Fl 33166. Phone.: (786) 331 1281
www.celeritech.biz // info@celeritech.biz