Traceability in the food chain

Tuesday 18 January 2005

New minimum traceability requirements ' by virtue of the General Food Law Regulation 178/2002 ' will apply for the first time to all food and feed businesses from 1 January 2005. These will not, however, require 'internal traceability', that is the linking up of all inputs to outputs.

In recognition of the benefits that internal traceability systems can bring to consumers and industry, the Agency has been developing Traceability guidelines in conjunction with key stakeholders. These guidelines are aimed at encouraging greater adoption of such systems. The Board sanctioned this approach in July 2002. The guidelines recognise, however, that the adoption of an internal traceability system remains a business decision.

The guidelines have already been subject to public consultation, but were subsequently subject to certain significant revisions - in particular they now cover whole chain traceability and animal feed because these are integral parts of a 'farm to fork' approach. A further public consultation will therefore commence shortly, which will also consider the cost implications. It is anticipated that the final guidelines will be published during 2005.