Traceability Risk Assessment - Facility Level

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This Risk Assessment is a tool to help you determine what should be done in your facility to implement a traceability system. It will help you to identify the gaps and opportunities for implementing traceability in your operation, and will also give you a high-level overview of the improvements and changes required.

Traceability may sound like something difficult and complex but it really isn't. We follow traceability procedures in our everyday lives, when using our debit cards, when getting a prescription drug from the pharmacy, or in many other instances. Traceability is a well organized record keeping system that will allow you to identify at any time, the exact location of the products or animals that you ship out of your facility, and all of the components/supplies/materials that were used during production.

How a traceability system is designed depends on many things (e.g. what your end product is, how you run your operation) so different solutions may be needed for different facilities. This Risk Assessment cannot cover every detail that may apply to your facility. It is a tool that can help you determine where to get started, but you should become familiar with the detailed requirements of a complete traceability system. OMAFRA has different resources available to assist you in this, most free of charge.

Before you start a project to implement a traceability system in your operation, make sure that you understand what will be required in terms of investment, staff time and other resources. Management commitment to the project is key to its success.

How to Use this Risk Assessment

Part A has four general questions that will help you assess your current knowledge of traceability and your level of commitment to implementing a traceability system. If your score is above 300, then you seem to be ready to start your traceability project. If you score between 200 and 275, then you need to learn more about traceability before you start this project (make sure you include this learning step in your Action Plan at the end of the booklet). If you score less than 200, you should contact OMAFRA to discuss your options.

Part B is divided into four sections: inputs, production, outputs and recall. For each section there is a brief explanation of the key terms followed by a series of questions to help you identify the gaps and opportunities related to implementing a traceability system. Add all identified gaps and opportunities to your Action Plan at the end of the booklet.

Part C is similar to Part B except that the questions are designed to identify the business management opportunities when implementing a traceability system. Again, make sure that you add all the identified opportunities to your Action Plan.

Action Plan on pages 10 and 11. Use the template provided to include all the gaps and opportunities that you have identified in Parts A, B and C and everything you plan to do to close the gaps or take advantage of the opportunities. Once you have completed the Action Plan, you will have to prioritize what you will do first, second, third and so on. The Action Plan also includes a spot to list a timeframe and cost for each thing you plan to do, which will also help you prioritize.

Now it's time to get started assessing your operation! Remember if you have any questions regarding this Risk Assessment, contact us by phone 1-866-641-3663 or by email advantage@ontario.ca.

Proceed to the Action Plan.
Proceed to Part A: General Questions.