The Food Traceability Plan is a key point on the FSMA 204. It summarizes how companies apply traceability in order to help the FDA understand how to interpret the information they present. This article aims to explain its importance and what it must contain.
The FDA final rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (Food Traceability Final Rule) establishes traceability recordkeeping requirements, beyond those in existing regulations, for persons who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods included on the Food Traceability List (FTL).
All organizations included in the FDA final rule must present a traceability plan in which they describe how they capture and save data, how they assign Traceability Lot Codes, a map, a point of contact, and more. Here we quote the the considerations enumerated by the FDA:
- “A description of the procedures you use to maintain the records you are required to keep under this rule, including the format and location of these records;
- A description of the procedures you use to identify foods on the Food Traceability List that you manufacture, process, pack, or hold;
- A description of how you assign traceability lot codes to foods on the Food Traceability List, if applicable;
- A statement identifying a point of contact for questions regarding your traceability plan and records;
- If you grow or raise a food on the Food Traceability List (other than eggs), a farm map showing the areas in which you grow or raise such foods.
- You must update your traceability plan as needed to ensure that the information provided reflects your current practices and to ensure that you are in compliance with the requirements of the rule. You must retain your previous traceability plan for 2 years after you update the plan.” (US FDA Traceability Plan Example)
We understand that applying the whole traceability of products can be confusing and overwhelming since there are many things to take into account during the process. This is why, with hard work and hours of cracking our heads, we developed this software. Our system will guide you through the creation of your traceability plan and automatically create the required document to present to the FDA.