Traceability Pilots

In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) contracted with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to develop two pilot projects designed to test and study various product tracing practices for fresh produce and processed foods. In March 2013, IFT announces the public release of their report for the FDA focused on the outcomes of these two pilot projects.

This groundbreaking project—a core component of the Food Safety Modernization Act traceability requirements – spurred an innovative methodology for evaluating end-to-end traceability. The GFTC continues to use this methodology in the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability.

• Pilot Program FAQs (PDF)
• Leafy Greens Tech Enabled Traceability (PDF), 2020
  The pilot report provides guidance on a path forward for future use of the template including additional industry training and modifications to maximize effectiveness and increase ease of use.
• IFT: Pilot Projects for Improving Product Tracing along the Food Supply System Final Report (PDF), 2012
  Final report to the FDA focusing on the outcomes of two pilot projects designed to test and study various product tracing practices for fresh produce and processed foods. This report on the pilots, which were required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), offers recommendations to the FDA on how to improve traceability in a way that benefits all stakeholders.
• Traceability (Product Tracing) in Food Systems: An IFT Report Submitted to the FDA, Volume 1: Technical Aspects and Recommendations (PDF), 2010
• Traceability (Product Tracing) in Food Systems: An IFT Report Submitted to the FDA, Volume 2: Cost Considerations and Implications (PDF), 2010

Traceability Guidance Documents

A selection of resources curated to guide your traceability system development and implementation

• Complete Guidance Document on the Best Practices in Food Traceability (online article, 2014)
• Traceability Glossary of Terms
• Bakery Traceability Best Practices
• Meat & Poultry Traceability Best Practices
• Processed Traceability Best Practices
• Produce Supply Chain Traceability Best Practices
• Seafood Traceability Best Practices
• Dairy Traceability Best Practices