DNA traceability system for maximum product integrity and traceability
Product integrity and traceability are key themes in the Vion strategy. One of our methods to ensure that products are traceable upstream and downstream in the supply chain, is a DNA traceability system.
In the last few years, the integrity of Vion’s products and processes have become more important for our customers and consumers. By ‘integrity’, we mean that all attributes associated with the product, including animal welfare and origin, can be 100% verified. We have implemented process integrity control systems with verification by product, balanced throughout the whole supply chain. In addition to these certified systems, we have the monitoring of product integrity of our Good Farming Star pork through the DNA testing of consumer products. Vion has organised the process in such a way that DNA from all Good Farming Star (our chain concept with 1 star Beter Leven quality mark) sows (mother pigs) is collected, analysed, and stored in a DNA data bank.
Consumer trust can only be achieved when the consumer can see relevant information about the food that is eaten. With meat and other food items, the consumer demands for product origin and production circumstances in the supply chain as relevant information.
Traceability within the supply chain is the most basic requirement needed in giving the consumer confidence that all attributes, such as animal welfare, food safety, sustainability and product integrity, are being complied with. Traceability and product integrity are also instrumental in ensuring food safety and minimising the risk of food fraud. The consumer deserves to know where the food originates from.
DNA tests are conducted at sow level, collected, analysed, and stored in a DNA data bank to be able to verify that at all times consumer products such as pork chops, fresh sausages, cooked meat products, and pork meal components all comply with the mother pig of origin within the Good Farming Star chain concept.
DNA is the ultimate consumer-care check and also an instrument to show the integrity of all our processes. With this instrument, Vion can objectively demonstrate that it is actively ensuring its product integrity from farm to fork. This shows that these Vion products are identity preserved on a scientific basis.
Consumers have the right to know where their food comes from
How does DNA traceability work in the Vion supply chain?
The farm that delivers pigs to Vion reports the individual DNA information to the Vion DNA data bank. In this data bank all DNA profiles of the sows in the specific supply chain are collected and stored. The retailers take frequently samples of consumer products, this can be e.g. of pork chops, sausages, frankfurter and cooked ham. The test results show that the product is part of the Good Farming Star supply chain yes or no.
IFS Product Integrity Assessment
In today’s society, customer and consumer demands are becoming more complex and expectations are increasing. To ensure that all these demands of the market are met, retailers and food producers have developed the IFS Product Integrity Assessment (IFS-PIA) together with IFS (Berlin).
The independent IFS PIA auditor determines whether the food producer delivers what is promised and checks all communication channels, from labels to internet communication.
To realise trust: that what is mentioned on the label is actually in the packaging.
