In the food manufacturing industry traceability is more than a box to tick — it’s the backbone of compliance, safety, and consumer trust. However, for many manufacturers, a seemingly minor oversight in traceability labelling processes could be putting them at risk of audit failure or worse.
A common issue that we come across all too often is a non-metal detectable label stuck onto a metal detectable traceability tag. While the intention is sound, this practise can create a weak point in the food safety chain.
When Labels Become a Liability
Adding a non-metal detectable label into a food environment causes a contamination risk. Not only can traceability labels be tricky for operatives to place accuracy on a tag, but they can also delaminate, degrade and even detach. In a food production setting, even the smallest foreign object, such as a piece of a torn label, can cause significant problems:
- Failed audits or compliance breaches
- Costly production line shutdowns
- Potential product recalls
- Loss of customer trust
- Financial losses.
Furthermore, if your production process includes cooking, freezing or involves oily, fatty substances, your label may not be fit for purpose. Even a well-secured label can begin to peel or breakdown.
Direct-to-Tag Printing: A Smarter, Safer Alternative
Switching to direct-to-tag printing can eliminate these risks entirely. Instead of applying a secondary label, traceability information is printed directly onto the surface of a fully metal detectable tag, custom made to fit your trays, racks and containers.
This simple change improves food safety, simplifies compliance, and streamlines your operation.
Benefits of Direct-to-Tag Printing:
- Reduced contamination risk: No labels to detach or degrade
- Stronger compliance: Fully metal detectable, audit-ready tags
- Improved efficiency: No need to buy, apply, or replace separate labels
- Lower long-term costs: Fewer materials, fewer failures and product recalls
- Environmental benefits: Less labelling material and no label backing paper waste to dispose of.
If you’d like to discuss how we can help improve your traceability systems with customised metal detectable tags, please get in touch.