GUIDELINE ON TRACEABILITY OF FRUIT JUICES AND SIMILAR FRUIT DERIVED PRODUCTS

Transcription

1 GUIDELINE ON TRACEABILITY OF FRUIT JUICES AND SIMILAR FRUIT DERIVED PRODUCTS 1. Introduction This guideline has been produced by The Association of Juices and Nectars from Fruits and Vegetables of the European Union (AIJN), in close co-operation with the European Quality Control System (EQCS)* and her National and Regional Members. It results from discussions which took place following the publication of the EU Commission White Paper and more recently of EC regulation no. 178/2002. This regulation established the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and lays down procedures in matters of food safety. Traceability is mentioned as a key element. The ability to trace fruit juice s from the final consumer to the grower, (from table to tree) is essential to enable Health Authorities to exercise control and for the food industry to ensure safety is a basic element of the quality of their s. The EU fruit juice industry felt that a clear and comprehensive guideline for traceability, which can be used throughout the fruit juice industry, would help this endeavour. 2. Objective The objective of this guideline is to detail the minimum requirements for the traceability of fruit juice and similar, fruit derived s in the modern distribution chain. 3. Scope The field of application of this guideline is limited to the incoming fruits, additives and ingredients, processed fruit s, intermediate and finished s including packaging * Before the publication of the White Paper, the European fruit juice industry had already recognised the importance of traceability and founded in 1994 the EQCS for the control of fruit juices and similar s. Through its internal guidelines and regular plant inspections the national and regional EQCS members verify the traceability of all s bought, produced and sold by their members. Furthermore it is worth underlining that the European fruit juice industry has also implemented the EC rules concerning HACCP. A system that is also a valid tool to check all the process steps.

2 4. Involved parties within the supply chain The different stakeholders, involved within the supply chain, are presented in the following scheme: 1. Fruit processor 2 Manufacturer of intermediate 3. Storer 4. Transporter 5. Distributor / agent / importer/broker 6. Filler / packer of finished In practice not all s have the same supply chain; sometimes fewer stakeholders are involved and sometimes the same kind of stakeholder is involved more than once. It is the responsibility of each stakeholder to identify and implement the minimum requirements as specified in this document.

3 5. Traceability within the whole supply chain Stakeholder Input () Process step Minimum Identification / registration Output () 1 Fruit Processor Fruit Fruit receipt Supplier/ Fruit & lot identification Reception date, quantity 2 Fruit Fruit storage related to each lot of fruit. 3 Fruit Juice extraction Juice reception tank n. and / or Batch no. related to fruit lot and fruit storage area ID Extraction time and quantity Traceability data on processing aids 4 Extracted fruit juice / puree 5 Manufacturer of intermediate Further processing/ reprocessing Batch n. / Tank n. Treatment with start and finish date and time. Traceability data on all processing aids Blending Traceability data of all ingredients / additives / aromas/ rework linked to the batch number of the intermediate processed. (s) added Fruit Fruit Extracted fruit juice / puree 6 Packing into drums, etc. or bulk loading Traceability data Packed intermediate 7 Storer Packed intermediate Storage Traceability data Date in and date out

4 Stakeholder Input () Process step Minimum Identification / registration Output () 8 9 Transporter Transportation Transport papers, including traceability data, quantity, supplier, date of loading and unloading Distributor Agent Importer Broker Sale Name of supplier and purchaser. and traceability data 10 Filler / Packer Additives One Way Packaging Reception Supplier / producer name and traceability data Reception date Stored components for the ion of the final 11 Final Product Components Preparation All ingredients / components and their traceability data Components prepared for filling Date and time of preparation and blending system ID Name of 12 Components, including packaging, prepared for filling One Way Packaging Filling Name of Pack size and lot ID (Date and time of filling) Filling line / machine ID Primary packaging ID Total quantity filled Delivery unit ID, e.g. pallet number Carton, tray, crate, pallet

5 Stakeholder Input () Process step Minimum Identification / registration Output () Storer Storage Traceability data Date in and date out Transporter Transportation Transport papers including traceability data, quantity, supplier, date of loading and unloading Notes: 1. Traceability Data Any combination of letters and / or numbers that identifies the specific and batch. In the event of a problem, the traceability data will constitute all the information that the producer requires from the user to fully trace the specific SGF/IRMA - Code of Labelling / Raw Materials Depending on the particular producer it will consist of some or all of the following: Product name - Product code - Lot number - batch number - ion date - fill date - loading date- date of minimum durability or use by date 2. ID = identification