Traceability & recalls

Traceability, or product tracing, is defined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission as “the ability to follow the movement of a food through specified stage(s) of production, processing and distribution”. Traceability within food‑control systems is applied as a tool to control food hazards, provide reliable product information and guarantee product authenticity. Recall or product recall is defined as “the action to remove food from the market at any stage of the food chain, including that possessed by consumers”. Food recall is a fundamental tool in managing risks in response to food safety events and emergencies. Traceability and recalls are essential components of a national food control system.

FAO’s work on traceability and recalls

All participants in modern supply chains are expected to have effective practices in place that allow for the rapid identification, location and withdrawal of food lots when problems are suspected or confirmed. This requires the identification and adoption of business practices that enable trading partners in the food industry to track and trace a product throughout the entire supply chain. Traceability serves a variety of business purposes, including:

product recalls/market withdrawals;
regulatory compliance;
market access;
public health trace‑backs;
food safety and quality assurance; and
process and order management.

Ensuring such effective practices is an ongoing challenge, in particular across complex global supply chains.

FAO supports and assists in the adoption of business practices by a large array of trading partners, from farmers or growers to internationally sourced suppliers, in order to effectively manage traceability within the food industry. By drawing on demonstrated best practices, FAO also supports competent national authorities to develop, review and implement effective national food recall systems as a key management tool to prepare for and respond to food safety events or emergencies.

Publications

Good practices guidelines (GCP) on national seafood traceability systems

2018

There is little doubt that IUU fishing has a negative impact on the economic, social and ecological attributes of fisheries and this affects food security.

Food Traceability Guidance

2017

This document covers specific sectors that were identified in each of four beneficiary countries for the provision of detailed guidance within the scope of TCP/SLC/3403 and the SPS project.

Summary report: Joint FAO/WHO pre-CCASIA workshop on food recall/traceability within the risk analysis framework - prevention of food safety emergencies

2015

Based on the needs expressed by many of the CCASIA countries, FAO and WHO organized a one-day workshop prior to the 19th session of the CCASIA (the 2nd of November, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan), entitled “Food recall/traceability within the risk analysis framework – prevention of food safety emergencies”