Guidelines for Lot Number Records

Hi all,

My company is finally getting ready to start the process of lot numbering. But I can't seem to find a guideline on what the record for lot numbering is supposed to look like. If anyone could offer advice or a sample of what one might look like to point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

~Wayne

I use the Julian date then a number for which line our product is coming off of.

I am familiar with using the Julian date code, currently we use in house P.O.'s for tracking the product through warehouse management system. I don't know of any "guidelines" per say, just several different systems that you can adapt ti your facility.

I see. I'm always searching for a "mandatory requirement" when it comes to documentation of this type. But I am getting the feeling a lot of the stuff I have not implemented already is a process one creates by hand. I am thinking about using the Julian system, but using a paper based lot numbering inventory system to start with to get the employees to learn how to do it.

Hello Wayne,

Its a site discretion on how you make your lot code. Our consist of 12 digits which identify product code, packaging code, area(source code), batch code, year and the last 3 digit is the julian calendar(prodn date). 

regards,

redfox

For Lot # you need to ask what's the purpose and goal that you want to achieve. for example:

If I want the lot number to be able to be help me with traceability then I need to crate a Lot number with the product Item number (create your own or assigned simple digits for each item), also I want to know when it was produced, and in what shift . ... so for this case I would use the following:  I would start with the Item # 25361, then I will include the Julian Date 005 and include the shift that produced it 1 . so my lot number  would end up been 253610051 , This can tell me the Item, when it was produced, and what shift This information is important  for traceability which is very important for your Recall Plan... but you can go with just Julian date but if you have a complain you going to ask your self or the customer what product is it, and find out on what shift it was produced to set corrective action...and if you want to go the extra mile and if your going to use a LaserJet printer to print the code date. its always better if you include the military time...

So it all depends on how fast you want to be able identify an item...

I helped many companies achieve SQF Level 3, my objective taking the programs the extra mile for food safety and quality.