Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – Traceability
February 10, 2014
What is Traceability in Food Manufacturing?
According to the IFT, traceability is:
the ability to follow the movement of a food product and its constituents through the stages of production, processing, and distribution, both backward and forward. Traceback is the ability to trace a food product from the retail shelf back to the source. Conversely, traceforward is the ability to trace a food product from the farm forward to the retail shelf or foodservice outlet. Product tracing encompasses traceback and traceforward.
What is the Food Safety Modernization Act?
Food manufacturers are watching as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) evolves to the next level as comprehensive transformation of food safety laws are developing. The focus of the FSMA is to shift food contamination responsibility from response to prevention.
How will the Food Safety Modernization Act Impact My Food Manufacturing Operations?
As a result of the FSMA, manufacturers need to be proactive and start thinking about how the FSMA will impact:
- manufacturing plants,
- manufacturing business systems,
- production methods, and
- supply chain.
The recent pilot projects ordered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and conducted by the International Food Technologists (IFT) provide the manufacturing industry with strong insights into what is coming. Traceability is a big piece of the puzzle.
Most questions from manufacturers about how the impact of traceability / track and trace fall into a couple of categories:
- Are there things that I MUST do now?
- Are there things that I COULD do now, as part of other projects, to get prepared?
- How do I create a Blueprint for FSMA Preparedness?
We are currently working on a complete guide to the Food Safety Modernization Act, how it impacts your manufacturing operations and how you can get started with your Blueprint for FSMA Preparedness.