According to the FDA, traceability is being able to follow a food product and all of its ingredients through the supply chain. This includes every step along the way, forward and backward in the production cycle. Traceability is vital to the food industry primarily due to food safety issues. But over the last few years, it’s become even more important to consumers. In general, people have become more aware of where their food products originated and how it is processed. Having a transparent process ensures consumers of what is in their food and how it was made.