TRACKING AND TRACING IN THE MEAT AREA

Fredi Schwegele; Sabine Andree

Fredi Schwegele Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food – Location Kulmbach
Sabine Andree Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food – Location Kulmbach

Keywords: tracking, tracing, food, feed, meat, meat products, poultry, poultry meat

Abstract

At pan-European level there is a need for traceability systems that gives information on origin, processing, retailing and ﬁ nal destination of foodstuffs. Such systems shall enhance consumer conﬁ dence in food, enable the regulatory authorities to identify and to withdraw health hazardous and non-consumable foodstuffs from the market. Animal feed is an element in this “food-to-farm” approach to public health. Such feedstuffs are preliminary elements of some foods for human consumption, and hence are an inherent element of the food chain. A harmonised pan-European food traceability protocol would greatly assist authorities in detecting fraud as well as dangerous substances. The food chain comprises a range of sequential and parallel stages bridging the full spectrum from primary production to the consumable foodstuffs. EU legislation on traceability and the technologies needed to implement this system for poultry and poultry products are the focus of this paper.