A recall is one of the most stressful and commercially damaging events a food business can face. Effective traceability is what makes the difference between a controlled recall – with a defined scope, a clear notification process, and a credible response – and a chaotic one that escalates. Produco builds and tests traceability systems that actually work under pressure, and supports businesses through real recall and withdrawal situations.
Traceability Systems and Recalls
Regulators, retailers, and certification bodies all require traceability systems – but the real purpose of traceability is to protect your business and your customers when something goes wrong. A system that satisfies an auditor in a document review is not necessarily a system that works in a real recall. The test is: if you received a notification right now that a pathogen had been detected in one of your products, could you:
- Identify every batch affected within two hours?
- Trace affected product forward to every customer and destination?
- Trace affected raw materials back to every supplier and lot?
- Initiate a recall or withdrawal with a defined scope – not ‘all production in the last three months’?
- Demonstrate to MPI that your trace was complete and your recall scope was accurate?
If the honest answer to any of those questions is no, your traceability system needs work.
What Produco Does
Effective traceability is the foundation of a successful recall response. Whether you’re preparing for an audit, testing your systems, or managing a real-world event, Produco helps ensure you can quickly identify affected products, demonstrate control, and respond with confidence.
Traceability System Review and Design
We assess your current traceability systems against regulatory requirements and recall readiness criteria. We identify the gaps – in your records, your labelling, your lot coding, your raw material tracking, or your finished goods distribution records.
System Build and Documentation
We build or rebuild your traceability system and procedures to ensure they meet MPI and GFSI requirements and – more importantly – actually work in a real recall scenario.
Mock Recall Exercises
We run a timed mock recall exercise against your system – exactly what a regulator or certification auditor would run. You find out where the gaps are in a controlled environment, not in a real event.
Voluntary Withdrawal Support
If you are managing a voluntary withdrawal, we advise on scope, documentation, customer notification, and MPI communication. We help you manage the situation in a way that minimises damage and demonstrates responsible action.
Mandatory Recall Support
If you are facing a mandatory recall, we provide hands-on support throughout the process – from initial scope determination through to MPI reporting and post-recall corrective action.
Why Produco
Our team helps ensure your systems, processes, and people are prepared to respond quickly, confidently, and in line with regulatory requirements.
Experienced Supporting
Experience supporting NZ food businesses through real recall and withdrawal situations
Deep Knowledge
Deep knowledge of MPI recall and withdrawal requirements and notification obligations
Traceability and Recall Systems
Mock Recall Exercises
We run real mock recall exercises, not paper-based reviews
Emergency Support
Available for emergency support if a recall situation is active right now – call 07 392 5711
Whatever the Problem, We'll Help You Fix It.
Produco helps you identify the problem, implement the solution, and get your business back on track.