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Practical Aspects of Traceability in Small Food Businesses with Implemented Food Safety Management Systems
Author(s) -
Dzwolak Waldemar
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of food safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.427
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1745-4565
pISSN - 0149-6085
DOI - 10.1111/jfs.12232
Subject(s) - traceability , food safety , certification , food safety management , risk analysis (engineering) , business , process management , quality (philosophy) , computer science , operations management , engineering , food science , economics , philosophy , chemistry , software engineering , management , epistemology
An effective traceability system is very important for food safety and public health. This paper presents results from studies carried out in 2013–2014 on internal traceability in six P olish small food businesses with implemented food safety management systems ( FSMSs ). In this paper, two key performance indicators are proposed related to available traceability records ( I TR ) and traceability time ( t T ), which can be valuable in the continuous improvement of internal traceability in small food businesses. Both indicators were applied in food businesses before and after certification of the FSMS , which influenced both indices. Before and after certification of the FSMS , the I TR values were 0.39–0.92 and 0.71–1.00, whereas t T values were 65–187 and 48–145 min, respectively. After direct observation of recalls and withdrawals, and analysis of records in the studied organizations, a generic mass balance was developed. Additionally, an algorithm including I TR , t T indicators and mass balance was established, which can be useful in practical testing and improving internal traceability systems in small food businesses. Practical Applications The results can be very useful to food safety/quality managers, practitioners, regulatory bodies and internal/external auditors as fundamentals of the rational improvement of the effectiveness and accuracy of internal traceability systems in small food businesses. The practical application also relates to the application of the algorithm, including available traceability records and traceability time indicators, as well as mass balance developed in this study. All the results can enhance the recall and withdrawal of nonconforming and/or unsafe food products, and can also facilitate the practical simulation of withdrawals as required by some private standards, such as BRC Global Standard for Food Safety and International Food Standard.