The system allows all of Vion’s beef products to be tracked from their retail packaging back to the original farm and individual ear tag.
It uses manual input via a CSB-Rack station or an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) delivery notification to collect all data and history of every piece of meat delivered to the company. However, where several carcases are processed together – for example for mincemeat – a new lot number is created which links all the information on the various different products.
Dirk Kirchner, Vion’s head of production is very happy with the CSB-System traceability solution, which enables him to see a product’s lifecycle “at the touch of a button”, both on his computer screen as well as on paper.
“This comes in very handy when talking to veterinarians or food retailers,” Kirchner explained. “With lot-number-based quantity statements, we can even demonstrate ‘in black and white’ which raw material quantities were purchased, which products were made from them, in which quantity they were sold and how many items we still have in stock. We have created the absolute fullest transparency within our operation. This gives us and our customers maximum security.”