Traceability

One step back, one step forward

Feed safety systems require each operator to identify its immediate supplier and immediate customer for every lot. Continuity of lot identity from producer to mill intake is the practical test of whether the chain works.

Traceability is also a sustainability instrument

Deforestation-related regulation, responsible-sourcing schemes and customer commitments increasingly require geographic origin evidence at farm or fishery level, not only at exporter level.

What to verify

—Lot identity preserved from production through to intake
—Supplier's recall procedure and last mock-recall result
—Chain-of-custody scheme certification where sustainability claims are made
—Retention period for records at each step

Typical risks

—A recall that cannot be bounded and becomes total
—Sustainability claims that cannot be substantiated at audit

Common mistakes

—Accepting blended lots with no identity preservation
—Assuming a certification logo equals chain-of-custody evidence

Frequently asked questions

How is traceability tested in practice?

By mock recall: pick a finished-feed batch, reconstruct every input lot backwards and every delivery forwards within a defined time limit. Suppliers should be able to show their own results from this exercise.