Firms warned to act on new law

FOOD and beverage companies were reminded yesterday that they have only eight months to put systems in place for complying with new EU traceability requirements which come into force on January 1 next.

Failure to comply with the strict legislation, which is designed to protect consumers, will expose companies to heavy penalties.

EAN Ireland, a neutral, not for profit organisation responsible for the development and use of bar coding, scanning and electronic data interchange (EDI) standards in Ireland, issued the deadline reminder.

It is running a series of traceability workshops in association with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to explain new legislation, which requires all food and beverage businesses to have procedures in place that allow complete tracking of products through the supply chain.

EAN Ireland director Jim Bracken said the legislation will go a long way to reassuring consumers about where the products they consume originated.

“Unfortunately, many companies still have much to do to ensure they meet the guidelines by the law’s introduction. As such, they run the risk of incurring penalties unless they quickly take action,” Mr Bracken said. “Attending one of the EAN Ireland workshops will help them take the necessary steps to become compliant,” he said.

The EU directive applies to all those involved in the production, processing, distribution, or sale of any item intended for human consumption.

Anyone serving food, whether for sale or free of charge will be required to comply with this law. Operators are required to maintain accurate records of those to whom they have supplied their products and those from whom they have received ingredients or products.

This will facilitate more accurate traceability throughout the supply chain and provide critical information in the event of a food scare or product recall.

As well as explaining the new legislation, the half-day workshops will help define the key components of a traceability system and identify the type of information they will be required to maintain.

Dr Wayne Anderson, food specialist, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the keynote speaker, will be present to answer any traceability queries.

The workshops, supported by the FSAI, ECR Ireland and the Food and Drink Industry Ireland, will be held at Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath (May 17), Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Co Galway (May 18) and the Radisson Hotel, Limerick (May 19).