Overview
EN ISO 22005:2007 - Traceability in the feed and food chain - specifies general principles and basic requirements for the design and implementation of a traceability system. Applicable to any organization at any step of the feed and food chain (primary production, processing, packaging, distribution, retail), the standard provides a flexible, verifiable framework to document product history or locate products and their components when needed. It is intended to support objectives such as food safety, recall/withdrawal, origin verification and meeting customer or regulatory requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Traceability principles: systems must be verifiable, results‑oriented, practical, cost‑effective, consistent and compliant with applicable regulations and defined accuracy requirements.
- Objectives identification: define what the traceability system must achieve (e.g., support food safety, determine origin, facilitate recalls, communicate with stakeholders).
- Design elements: determine position in the feed and food chain, suppliers/customers, product and ingredient scope, material flows, and information needs.
- Procedures and records: establish procedures for product definition, lot definition and identification, flow documentation, data management, record keeping media, and information retrieval protocols.
- Nonconformity management: include procedures for handling traceability failures, corrective actions and documentation of actions taken.
- Documentation: maintain descriptions of chain steps, responsibilities for traceability data, records of traceability activities, verification/audit results and document retention times.
- Chain coordination: coordinate design elements when traceability is implemented across multiple organizations; claims of chain traceability must be supported by verifiable information.
- Implementation: demonstrate management commitment, assign responsibilities and provide resources for effective operation of the traceability system.
Applications
- Rapidly identify and withdraw/recall affected lots during contamination or nonconformity events.
- Verify origin and processing history for compliance with labelling, certification or customer specifications.
- Improve supply chain transparency, product traceability audits, and risk management.
- Support food safety systems, quality management and regulatory reporting across feed and food sectors.
Who should use this standard
- Food and feed producers, processors, packers, transporters, wholesalers and retailers.
- Quality, food safety and supply‑chain managers implementing traceability systems.
- Auditors, certification bodies and regulators assessing traceability capability.
Related standards
- ISO 22000:2005 (Food safety management systems) - referenced for management of documents and records.
- ISO 9000 series - referenced for process/product definitions and quality terminology.
Keywords: EN ISO 22005:2007, ISO 22005, traceability system, feed and food chain, traceability design, lot identification, food safety, recall management, supply chain transparency.
