INTEGRATED MODEL OF TRACEABILITY: TRACKING INFORMATION FOR FOOD SAFETY

Abstract

The main goal of the article is to discuss and elaborate the traceability systems that are utilized with the goal of attaining food safety through the systematic monitoring of physical movement of food-related raw materials and fi nished products. Th e article is of a descriptive character and is related to scientifi c literature, but also to the legal framework of traceability in the European Union as well as to quality management systems. Th e article presents the integrated model of traceability, which consists of the following three layers: prerequisites of traceability (legal framework, quality management, ICT in-frastructures), forms of traceability (internal and chain traceability), and the goal of trace-ability (food safety). Timely monitoring and accurate recording of the product modifi ca-tion process, in this case food, through time and space, is the main feature of the concept of traceability. Traceability of the food-related information for the purpose of food safety can be attained only by using an integrated approach to the process. Th e article presents the scientifi c developments in three main areas, namely: (i) interrelation among the legal framework, quality management and the ICT infrastructure of traceability; (2) the mutual impact of internal and chain traceability; (3) the integrated model of traceability as a prerequisite of food safety.