Introduction:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule on food traceability designed to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market. The rule applies to foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL), which includes fresh cut fruits and vegetables, shell eggs, and nut butters, as well as certain fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, ready-to-eat deli salads, cheeses, and seafood products.

Food manufacturers who are subject to the rule must maintain records of the following information:

• The identity of the food
• The identity of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
• The date and location of each step in the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of the food
• The name and contact information of each person who received the food

The FDA has stated that the rule is intended to “help protect consumers from foodborne illness by making it easier for the FDA to identify and trace the source of contaminated food.” However, food manufacturers should be aware that the rule also creates a number of new compliance requirements.

Some of the key concerns that food manufacturers should be aware of include:

• The need to maintain accurate and complete records
• The need to implement a system for tracking the movement of food
• The need to be able to provide information to the FDA quickly and easily within 24-hours of a recall

The FDA has stated that it will provide guidance and assistance to help food manufacturers comply with the rule. However, it is important for food manufacturers to start planning now to ensure that they are ready to meet the new requirements.

In addition to the concerns listed above, food manufacturers should also be aware of the following:

• The rule may have a significant impact on their operations.
• They may need to invest in new technology and systems to comply with the rule.
• They may need to hire additional staff to manage the compliance effort.

The rule is a significant change for the food industry, and food manufacturers should take steps to ensure that they are prepared to comply.

One way that food manufacturers can comply with the FDA’s food traceability rule is to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution.

ERP software from companies like SYSPRO software is a suite of integrated applications that helps businesses manage their core operations, such as accounting, manufacturing, sales, and customer service. ERP software can help food manufacturers comply with the FDA’s food traceability rule by providing a number of features, including:

• A centralized database: ERP software stores all of a company’s data in a single, centralized database. This makes it easy to track the movement of food and quickly identify the source of a contamination.
• Reporting and analytics: ERP software can generate reports and analytics that can help food manufacturers identify trends and patterns that could indicate a potential food safety issue.
• Workflow automation: ERP software can automate many of the tasks involved in food traceability, such as generating and tracking records. This can free up employees to focus on other tasks, such as improving food safety procedures.
• Mock Recalls: ERP systems like SYSPRO provide robust support for mock recalls, helping food manufacturers to quickly assess and perform recall functions and generate the necessary FDA required paperwork to mitigate damage.

ERP software can be a valuable tool for food manufacturers who are looking to comply with the FDA’s food traceability rule. By implementing an ERP software solution, food manufacturers can improve their food safety practices, reduce the risk of contamination, and protect their consumers.

Here are some additional benefits of using ERP software for food traceability:

• Improved visibility: ERP software provides a single view of all data related to food traceability, which can help food manufacturers identify and respond to potential problems more quickly.
• Increased efficiency: ERP software can automate many of the tasks involved in food traceability, which can free up employees to focus on other tasks, such as improving food safety procedures.
• Reduced costs: ERP software can help food manufacturers reduce the costs associated with food traceability, such as the cost of manual data entry and the cost of recalls.

If you are a food manufacturer, you should consider implementing an ERP software solution to help you comply with the FDA’s food traceability rule. ERP software can help you improve your food safety practices, reduce the risk of contamination, and protect your consumers.

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Technologies International, Inc. has been supporting food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers for over 25 years, helping them with traceability and recall preparations, minimizing production costs, enhancing customer satisfaction, and boosting profits. We’re proud partners with SYSPRO ERP software and are ready to discuss your business needs. Contact us at https://tech-intl.com or call us at (909)-614-1416 ext 120.