Supply-lots

Supply-lots refer to a specific quantity of raw material managed as a single, identifiable unit within the supply chain. According to the principles of ISO 22005:2007 (Traceability in the feed and food chain), each supply-lot should have a unique identifier that records key information such as its origin, reception date, quantity, and quality. It serves as the minimum input unit before materials enter the production process. This concept is distinct from a 'production batch,' which is an output unit of finished or semi-finished goods. In risk management, tracking supply-lots is fundamental to achieving end-to-end traceability. As mandated by regulations like Article 18 of the EU's General Food Law (EC 178/2002), it enables companies to quickly trace a safety issue back to the specific source material, preventing massive, indiscriminate product recalls and effectively controlling operational and compliance risks.

The application of supply-lots in ERM centers on establishing a precise material traceability system to mitigate food safety and supply chain disruption risks. Implementation involves three key steps: 1. **Identification and Coding:** Assign a unique lot number (e.g., via barcode or QR code) to each incoming supply-lot, linking it to supplier, material, and date information. 2. **Process Tracking and Recording:** Use an MES or ERP system to record in real-time which supply-lots are consumed in which production orders, including quantities and mixing information. 3. **Finished Product Association:** Create a clear data link between the final product batches and all the supply-lots used in their production. For example, a major Taiwanese food manufacturer implemented this system and can now trace a customer complaint back to a specific raw material supply-lot within an hour. This reduced their recall scope by over 95%, significantly cutting costs and enhancing risk response efficiency, ensuring compliance with ISO 22000.

Taiwanese enterprises face three main challenges. First, **tracking bulk materials** like liquids or grains is difficult as they are often mixed. The solution is to apply a mass balance approach, using automated equipment like scales and flow meters to precisely record the quantities and timing of each lot's input and output. Second, **inconsistent supplier data standards** complicate data integration. The remedy is to establish a unified supplier specification policy, requiring suppliers to provide electronic lot data based on global standards like GS1. Third, **limited resources in SMEs** make the initial investment in a full traceability system prohibitive. A phased implementation, prioritizing high-risk materials, or adopting a cloud-based SaaS traceability platform can mitigate this. The priority action is to form a project team to complete a needs analysis and supplier communication within three months.

Winners Consulting specializes in Supply-lots for Taiwan enterprises, delivering compliant management systems within 90 days. Free consultation: https://winners.com.tw/contact