Traceability Lot Codes (TLCs) are alphanumeric descriptors used to uniquely identify a traceability lot within your firm’s records. TLCs must be assigned to foods when you:
Initially pack a raw agricultural commodity (RAC) other than a food obtained from a fishing vessel
Perform the first land-based receiving of a food obtained from a fishing vessel
Transform a food
Receive a covered food from an entity that is exempt from the final rule
Once a food has been assigned a Traceability Lot Code (TLC), the Key Data Elements (KDEs) records required at each Critical Tracking Event (CTE) must include that TLC.