A supporting tool
Structured workflows for everyday kitchen use
Trace4Food helps businesses organise product, ingredient, allergen, label and traceability information. It does not provide legal advice, determine which rules apply to a particular product, or replace the food safety management system and checks maintained by the food business operator.
PPDS
PPDS / Natasha’s Law
For food that falls within prepacked for direct sale requirements, the relevant label needs the name of the food and a full ingredients list, with allergenic ingredients emphasised.
Trace4Food supports structured product, ingredient and allergen records that can help a kitchen prepare consistent labels. The operator remains responsible for deciding whether a product is PPDS and checking that every label is accurate and complete.
The Food Information Regulations 2014 form part of the framework in England, with corresponding provisions applying elsewhere in the UK.
Official PPDS guidance from the Food Standards Agency
A
Allergen information
Trace4Food helps keep ingredient and allergen information organised and accessible during product setup and labelling.
This can support consistent working practices, but it does not replace current supplier information, staff training, cross-contamination controls or the business’s review of the final information given to customers.
Official GOV.UK ingredients and allergen guidance
T
Food traceability principles
Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 is commonly referenced for food traceability requirements. It requires food business operators to maintain systems and records identifying suppliers and the other businesses they supply.
Trace4Food is designed to support practical traceability and record-keeping workflows. The legal framework differs between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, so businesses should check the current rules that apply to their location and activities.
Official GOV.UK General Food Law guidance
H
HACCP-based food safety management
Food businesses need food safety management processes based on HACCP principles. Structured product, storage, labelling and record-keeping workflows can form part of the procedures and evidence used by a business.
Trace4Food is not a complete HACCP system and does not replace hazard analysis, critical controls, monitoring, corrective actions, training or the business’s own food safety documentation.
Official GOV.UK food safety management guidance
Trace4Food is a workflow and record-keeping tool designed to support food businesses. Responsibility for meeting applicable legal and food safety requirements remains with the food business operator.