How to create effective traceability lot codes in the food industry
As global supply chains become more interconnected, experts in food safety emphasize the need for clear and documented traceability, not only in the food industry but also in areas like cosmetics, medicine, and pet food.
In this blog post, you will learn what traceability is, which role lot codes play, and how you can create effective lot codes to increase traceability.
What is traceability?
The Food Code, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, defines "traceability" as the ability to track the journey of food through production, processing, and distribution.
In simple terms, many governments now require businesses involved in food production and sales to maintain records, following the "one step backward, one step forward" principle. This means knowing where the food came from and where it goes after being sold.
The regulations around traceability are changing. In 2024 the FDA tightened the requirements for traceability from farm to farm with the FSMA 204’s Traceability Rule.
To simplify this tracking process, companies use a traceability lot code—a label applied to each batch of products upon arrival. This code aids in monitoring the transformation of raw materials into finished goods and tracking their buyers.
4 tips for creating traceability lot codes
Make it easy to read: Ensure your team can quickly understand the code. It's essential to have a clear and simple way of creating and using these codes.
Include a date and a unique product code: Add the production date to the label and use a unique code for each product to facilitate easy identification.
Add a Work Order or batch number: Make each lot code unique by incorporating a Work Order or batch number, aiding in quick batch-specific information retrieval.
Optional details like location or department: Depending on your company's structure, consider including additional information like the production location or handling department.
Here is an example of a lot code: 416-SWB240201
416 is the Work Order number
S stands for Strathearn Ave, the location of primary production
WB stands for White Bread
240201 stands for February 1, 2024
Make sure that these codes are placed where customers won't discard them, and verify their durability. If your production involves multiple steps, assign a new lot code to each step, aiding in recall isolation and reducing business risks.
Caddy is an inventory and traceability software that helps businesses increase their traceability by digitizing their inventory. If you want to find out how to increase traceability, schedule a free traceability consultation for guidance tailored to your business needs, helping establish a standard practice for traceability lot codes.
