What is the importance of product traceability and what identifiers are commonly used?

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Product traceability is about tracking a product through its production and distribution to support safety, recalls, and accountability. This capability makes it possible to identify exactly which products are in question during a recall and to pull only the affected lots, minimizing disruption and protecting public health. The identifiers commonly used to achieve this include lot numbers, which tie a product to a specific production batch; production date, which helps determine age and shelf life; establishment number, which identifies the facility where it was made; and a product code, which specifies the exact product or formulation. Together these data points enable efficient tracing, investigation, and verification across the supply chain. Traceability is a regulatory and safety tool, not optional or solely for marketing, and it applies beyond live animals to processed products and their distribution.