Having a robust traceability system is paramount to any food manufacturer. Traceability labels and tags play a small, but vital role in maintaining traceability, so why do operations and technical managers sometimes settle for less than perfect solutions?
Line stoppages, downtime and failed supplier audits are a high price to pay for the failure of a traceability label or tag.
Here are just a few of the common problems that we have solved for our food manufacturing customers by customising the right label for the job:
Tags failing during the cooking process
Using the correct label or tag substrate is vital if integrity is to be maintained throughout the food manufacturing process. It goes without saying that all food traceability labels and tags must be made from a metal detectable material to prevent contamination.
Additionally, using a non-ovenable material could lead to tags turning black or worse
still, breaking up during the cooking process. Therefore, heat resistant labels and tags are a must if your processes include cooking.
Switching to an ovenable traceability tag designed specifically for your cooking temperatures and the presence of oil and grease could make all the difference.
Missing traceability labels
If your food processing includes low temperature, damp, or freezing environments, it’s important that the correct adhesive is applied to your traceability labels. As with high temperature labels, so chiller and freeze labels are designed specially to suit your environment.
Importantly, it’s not just the food storage temperature that should be considered, but the label application environment too. Specifying the correct substrate and adhesive has an important part to play in maintaining traceability throughout the entire operation.
Lost tray cards
Whilst tray cards still have a place in some food manufacturing environments, loop
lock traceability tags have largely taken over. Designed to fit your trays, racks and Dolafs perfectly, tags are a more secure option.
If you use Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) in your operation, consider moving to water removable labels. Not only do they extend the life of your RPCs, they can be an environmentally friendly option too.
Illegible traceability tags
If handwritten traceability tags are still a part of your operation, it’s time to consider a stand-alone printer. With no complicated IT integration, setting up a printer is quick and easy. Furthermore, think of the time you could save on your current processes.
Jammed printers, poorly aligned print or failing barcodes
Printer problems are frustrating and often down to the compatibility of the label or tag with the printer. Moreover most issues are preventable with the right label design, substrate and print quality.
Finally, there is no need to settle for any of these traceability niggles. Talk to us about an on-site visit to assess your current traceability labelling set up and recommend any improvements.