Major importing areas such as the European Union, the United States and Japan have recently introduced new legislation which applies to the food industry. In addition to requiring traceability, this legislation strengthens the requirements for sanitary controls and extends the powers to control imports which are not considered compliant with food safety regulations. The evolving situation of international regulations and control measures places a greater burden of proof on exporting countries and therefore increases the importance of being able to supply good quality information about the history of products being exported and the sanitary controls applied.

The moves in recent years to implement food traceability and food safety legislation have been partly a reaction to the fear felt by consumers of what they eat. A survey in Europe showed that people think that the risk from food is nearly twice as high as the risk from traffic accidents.

Unfortunately a divergence has occurred between food scientists and the general public about how to deal with potential food problems. The scientists have practised methods for several years now which are based on “risk assessment”. Measures are taken in areas where the risk, as assessed by scientists, is considered high.

However, this doesn’t satisfy consumers. Although most individuals realise that they cannot have “zero risk”, they are not willing to leave the decision to other people they don’t trust. In the current situation they believe the worst, which can lead to mass hysteria.

A fundamental reason for establishing traceability in the global food industry is to re-establish the confidence of the public. Re-building confidence will be a long process, but depends on an honest and full supply of information to consumers usually referred to as “transparency”. Traceability is the means by which this information can be gathered and delivered to the public.