Improved traceability in food companies leads to enhanced business: IFT report

Improved ability to trace products allows food companies to achieve improved business processes, increase supply chain confidence and expand their markets, according to a report by The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

The report has been prepared for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

IFT conducted two pilot projects, which were mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), to test and study various tracing practices for fresh produce and processed foods.

The report provides recommendations to the FDA on how to enhance product tracing in a way that benefits all stakeholders.

It offers important findings to help regulators resolve foodborne illness outbreaks earlier, and enable the food industry to respond to them quicker.

IFT conducted a pilot looking at fresh produce, which focused on tomatoes, and another pilot for processed foods comprising chicken, peanuts and spices.

The foods selected for the two pilot projects were associated with outbreaks between 2005 and 2010.

According to the report, many food companies believe that product tracing is a subset of supply chain operations, and may not see product tracing as a vital consideration when making investment decisions.

However, the threat of not having product tracing capabilities in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak represents significant risks to a firm.

Based on eight case studies of previous outbreaks, improved product tracing had the potential to reduce the public health impact by up to 55% of total illnesses and lower the economic impact by up to $14m per outbreak.

The latest report also recommends the FDA to advise the entire food industry on ‘best practices’ for recordkeeping through the use of guidance documents.

Other recommendations include clearly identificating the types of data that industry needs to provide during an outbreak investigation, and requiring each member of the food supply chain to develop, document and implement a product tracing plan.

In addition, it recommends the adoption of a technology platform to allow the FDA to efficiently aggregate and analyse data reported in response to regulatory requests; coordination of traceback investigations and developing response protocols between and among state and local health and regulatory agencies; and offering extensive outreach and education around future regulations and expectations.

IFT president John Ruff said that these recommendations are not only expected to help protect consumers, but also help to develop a better framework for industry and government to focus on food system improvements in the coming years.

The FDA is currently soliciting inputs on the report and will issue its own recommendations in a report to Congress.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is an international, non-profit professional organisation for the advancement of food science and technology.

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Image: IFT conducted a pilot looking at fresh produce, which focused on tomatoes, and another pilot for processed foods that include chicken, peanuts and spices. Photo courtesy of Rositsa Maslarska.