Traceability has become a ‘buzz word’ with regard to food, particularly following a number of food safety incidents during which traceability systems have been shown to be weak or absent and hence slow or unable to assure consumers of food safety.

Within a production chain it is possible to identify at least two levels of traceability:

• Internal traceability i.e. traceability within one link or business within the chain. Internal traceability allows data about raw materials and processes within the business to be linked to the final product separately in each stage of production, processing or distribution.
• Chain traceability i.e. traceability between links in the chain. The focus is on information, which accompanies the product from one link in the chain to the next to extend traceability for any product through all stages of production, processing and distribution.
  Eti.NET aims at creating and managing the food chain traceability “between businesses”.

The EU General Food Law Regulation (178/2002) contains clear requirements for Traceability. The Regulation came into force on 21 February 2002. Certain provisions will not apply until 1 January 2005. This will further strengthen the legislative requirements relating to traceability by ensuring that some minimum record keeping is in place in all food businesses.