Tag Archives: traceability

Traceability Unwrapped: How Packaging Protects Every Bite

By Emily Newton
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Food traceability captures key data by following a product’s journey through every production stage, processing and distribution. It safeguards public health by enabling rapid identification and removal of contaminated goods, upholds quality through continuous monitoring, and ensures compliance with stringent industry regulations.

At the center of this system is packaging, which is the physical container and the digital gateway for traceability information. From printed barcodes to embedded smart labels, it carries the data that links each item to its origin, safety record and handling history. For food manufacturers, this makes packaging essential for transparency and safety.

The Intersection of Packaging and Traceability

Packaging is the food supply chain’s first and most persistent touch point, accompanying a product from when it leaves the production line until it reaches the consumer’s hands. A well-designed label protects and presents the product and is pivotal in this process. It reduces the information gap between producer and consumer by making key data accessible and easily understood.

When packaging design is aligned with tracking systems — whether through barcodes or digital watermarks — vital information flows seamlessly across every stage of the supply chain. Formats such as tamper-evident seals, smart labels with embedded chips and multi-layer labels for multilingual compliance enable better tracking and transparency.

Technologies Driving Food Traceability

Barcodes and quick-response (QR) codes remain the most accessible tools for traceability. They offer quick scanning for internal inventory control and consumer-facing transparency. Radio frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) tags enable real-time tracking and seamless data transfer across the supply chain. In fact, 93% of U.S. retailers have already adopted RFID technology to improve inventory management.

Blockchain integration adds another layer of security by creating immutable records that verify product safety, authenticity and compliance. Meanwhile, digital watermarks provide invisible yet scannable identifiers embedded directly into packaging, which offers discreet but powerful traceability without altering the visual design.

Ensuring Food Safety Through Packaging

Food traceability is a frontline defense in safety that enables manufacturers to identify and remove affected products before they reach consumers. Accurate tracking reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses and large-scale recalls, while building trust by showing customers that safety is a top priority. Traceable packaging can also stop unsafe products — like batches with allergen contamination or temperature breaches — from ever hitting store shelves.

This rapid response protects public health and minimizes financial losses and reputational damage. Beyond immediate safety benefits, robust systems help brands comply with global food safety regulations and demonstrate compliance, reinforcing credibility and market access.

Protecting Brand Reputation and Consumer Confidence

Transparent packaging information gives buyers and regulators a clear window into a product’s journey, from sourcing and production to quality checks and delivery. By openly sharing details, brands position themselves as honest and accountable, which can be a decisive factor in earning long-term loyalty.

Research shows that packaging has an average of seven seconds to make a favorable impression before a customer moves on to the next option. Clear and credible cues — like QR codes linking to origin stories or sustainability data — can turn that fleeting moment into a lasting connection.

Brands highlighting these details in marketing campaigns can transform food traceability from a compliance necessity into a positive public relations tool. It reinforces their commitment to safety, ethics and quality. Educating consumers on reading and using this information further strengthens this edge, making packaging a competitive differentiator in crowded marketplaces.

Operational Benefits for Food Manufacturers

Traceable packaging allows food manufacturers to see exactly where products are, how they move and when they need replenishment. It creates a more streamlined approach to inventory and production control. This visibility allows operations to match output with demand, which reduces waste and avoids costly overproduction. It also enables more accurate demand forecasting, helping teams plan smarter and respond faster to market shifts.

Beyond internal efficiency, food traceability holds suppliers to higher standards by making every step of the supply chain transparent, from raw material sourcing to final delivery. With cleaner, more accurate data, manufacturers can meet compliance requirements and maintain consistency while building stronger trust with customers and partners.

Future Trends in Food Traceability

AI-powered defect detection allows manufacturers to spot issues quickly before products leave the facility. These systems can automatically identify packaged products during industrial inspections, flagging defects such as misprints, seal breaks or labeling errors using deep learning techniques. Predictive recall capabilities take it further, analyzing patterns to anticipate potential safety risks before they escalate.

Alongside these advancements, eco-friendly materials with built-in tracking technologies make traceability more sustainable. This innovation reduces environmental impact without sacrificing performance. Consumers also now enjoy greater access to product journey data through mobile apps, empowering them to scan packaging and instantly see sourcing details, safety records and sustainability credentials. These factors turn transparency into a tangible part of the customer experience.

Making Traceability a Strategic Asset

Food traceability safeguards product safety and streamlines operations across the supply chain. Proactively adopting traceable packaging is a long-term investment that strengthens compliance and builds lasting consumer trust. Manufacturers should audit their current systems and make strategic upgrades to stay ahead of regulations and market expectations.

EAS Consulting Group Announces New Webinar: A Guide to FSMA 204

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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EAS Consulting Group, a trusted leader in regulatory affairs and food safety consulting, has announced its upcoming webinar: “A Guide to FSMA 204: Sorting Through the Confusion of the FDA’s New Traceability Rule for Added Food Safety.”

This exclusive online event will take place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and will offer invaluable insights into the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204, focusing on the FDA’s new traceability requirements that are shaping the future of food safety.

FSMA 204, or the Food Traceability Rule, will require enhanced recordkeeping for facilities handling foods that have a high risk of foodborne illness. To comply with the law, manufacturers who are subject to the rule must maintain enhanced traceability records, develop traceability plans, and provide records to the FDA in 24 hours.

Why Attend? Compliance with the requirements was originally set for January 2026. However, the FDA has now delayed implementation by 30 months to allow more time for small grocers to comply without undue financial and logistical strain. Compliance is likely to become mandatory in mid-2028.

While the compliance date has shifted, it’s never too early to determine whether your facility is subject to the rule, and if so, to better understand the requirements.

Webinar Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 PM ET
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Cost: Free (registration required)

The webinar will be led by two of EAS Consulting Group’s seasoned regulatory experts – Senior Director for Food Services Tim Lombardo and Independent Consultant Thomas Bell.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions prior to and following the webinar in order to gain personalized advice based on their unique challenges.

How to Register:To register for the webinar, visit https://easconsultinggroup.com/a-guide-to-fsma-204/ and secure your spot today. Contact trainings@easconsultinggroup.com with any questions or concerns.

Raw chicken breast

How the Fieldale Farms Corporation Transformed Its Laboratory Operations with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

By Janet Smith, Kim Waters
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Raw chicken breast

For over 50 years, Fieldale Farms Corporation has built a reputation as one of the world’s largest independent poultry producers. Rooted in Northeast Georgia, this family-owned business remains committed to providing premium, healthy poultry products to customers in over 50 countries. With the ability to provide product packaging, fully cooked products, and other specialty items, Fieldale is a trusted one-stop source for quality poultry products.

Under the brand Springer Mountain Farms, Fieldale was the pioneer in raising poultry without the use of antibiotics as well as the first poultry producer to be American Humane Certified. With cutting-edge technology and a rigorous commitment to safety, Fieldale ensures every product meets the highest standards of quality for customers around the globe.

For years, the Fieldale Farms laboratory team depended on Microsoft Access databases and Excel spreadsheets to manage its laboratory data. While these tools served their purpose in the past, growing testing demands soon exposed their limitations.

One significant challenge was the lack of a comprehensive audit trail, which made it difficult to trace data changes and ensure accuracy. Also determining whether all samples were processed, testing was completed and protocols followed required extensive manual effort.

“We could not easily trace what method had been used and the technicians responsible without investing significant time and effort,” said Janet Smith, Manager of the Laboratory at Fieldale Farms.

The Fieldale lab required a modern software solution to simplify sample login, enhance tracking, ensure accurate result entry with a detailed audit trail, support strong QA/QC processes, and enable seamless electronic data transfer with laboratory instruments.

To tackle these challenges, Fieldale Farms’ ISO 17025 and USDA FSIS-accredited lab adopted a cloud-based LIMS. With this upgrade, the lab now enjoys full traceability. “Now, we can trace the sample all the way from the front door to final reporting knowing the technicians, methods, and equipment involved each step without a lot of paperwork review,” said Smith.

“With the LIMS, we achieve audit trail capabilities that were absent before,” said Smith. Any changes to validated and/or approved results will spawn an audit trail.  The LIMS audit trail stores the original result, the date and time stamp of the original result, the person that entered the original result and the new result, the date and time stamp of the new result, the user that made the change, and finally the new result. In addition, the LIMS will prompt the user to enter a reason for the change of the result.

Generating reports used to be a tedious time drain, diverting valuable time and resources from core laboratory functions. “Before, I often had to recreate reports for each “new/different” type of sample/customer when I didn’t have a template that was acceptable due to the reports being “static” – containing specific methods that often didn’t fit every scenario,” said Smith. The LIMS allows for dynamic reporting adaptable to different testing methods and client requirements. Reporting is now faster, more accurate, and far less frustrating.

Fieldale Farms Laboratory Team 

Another key benefit for the lab is instrument integration. “Parsing files from the instrument directly into the LIMS database is also a favorite.  No more data transcription errors and it is quick,” said Smith. The LIMS integrates seamlessly with the lab’s Leco Protein Analyzer, PCR, and NIR Spectrometer.

By adopting a modern, cloud-based LIMS solution, the lab eliminated the need for expensive hardware investments and avoided the hassle of setup and maintenance. With no need for specialized IT staff, the system runs smoothly with automatic updates, reducing staff workload and minimizing downtime. The result: improved productivity, streamlined operations, and uninterrupted lab performance.

Why now is the time to prepare for FSMA 204

By Geoff Olsen
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In recent years, food recalls have become a concern for the food and beverage (F&B) industry, with regulatory bodies tightening oversight as the number of recall-related incidents continues to rise. The F&B industry is no stranger to recalls, but recent trends indicate a steady increase in frequency, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issuing 313 recalls in 2023, an 8% increase from the previous year. This uptick can be attributed to various factors, including the detection of undeclared allergens, which made up almost half of food recalls last year, and contamination by harmful bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli.

Consumers are taking notice of these continuous food recalls as a new Gallup poll revealed that Americans’ perspective of the grocery industry has turned negative due to inflation and food safety concerns. It also showed that, for the first time, Americans have more negative views (47%) than positive (33%) of the grocery industry. The growing number of recalls, plus consumer concerns, has intensified calls for stricter compliance and enhanced traceability within the food supply chain.

Major Changes Are Coming

These recalls have become a persistent public health problem, with over 1,100 Americans falling ill from foodborne illnesses linked to recalled products. However, significant steps are being taken to address these concerns in the next few years. To reduce the number of foodborne illnesses, the FDA introduced the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204, a regulation requiring F&B businesses to provide detailed traceability information within 24 hours of a recall. Starting in January 2026, this rule will focus on tracking food inputs from suppliers, enabling companies to pinpoint the source of contamination more efficiently.

FSMA 204 will bring major changes to the F&B industry by enhancing traceability requirements for high-risk foods. The rule mandates that companies must improve tracking across the supply chain to ensure key data points are recorded at critical stages of food production, processing, and distribution. This means F&B businesses must implement more stringent record-keeping processes, invest in technology for real-time tracking, and increase collaboration with suppliers to ensure compliance.

However, many organizations aren’t prepared to undergo the data process transformations needed to align with this new traceability rule. Below are a few actionable steps companies can take to prepare their supply chains for FSMA 204:

Investing in Solutions to Streamline Reporting

Despite the wide scale impact FSMA 204 will have across the F&B industry, a main challenge for companies will be updating and investing in new systems and processes to comply with the rule. FSMA 204 mandates that F&B companies provide detailed, accurate traceability data within a 24-hour window during a recall, which requires modern technology capable of handling real-time information. Many existing systems are outdated or not equipped to meet this new level of compliance. As a result, suppliers will need to adopt new software, train staff, and overhaul data management processes. These changes are certain to be time-consuming and raise operational costs. The complexity of this process, especially in a global and multifaceted supply chain, can be overwhelming without the right tools in place.

In addition, suppliers face the challenge of integrating these new systems with their broader supply chain networks. Ensuring seamless communication between suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers is essential for meeting the strict reporting timelines under FSMA 204. The coordination required to share and track data effectively across multiple partners adds an additional layer of complexity. Suppliers must also ensure their traceability solutions are scalable to accommodate future growth and evolving regulations, all while maintaining business continuity and protecting their bottom line.

Investing in scalable technology not only ensures compliance but also enhances business resilience. It provides better visibility into the supply chain, helping businesses respond quickly to disruptions, recall situations, or emerging food safety threats. Furthermore, these solutions enable businesses to streamline their data-sharing processes with trading partners, improving collaboration and reducing the time and resources spent manually documenting transactions.

While this can be costly, investing in robust technology systems and implementing effective food safety quality programs for employees provides the benefit of demonstrating a commitment to food safety and helps ensure smoother operations.

A few solutions suppliers can consider include advanced technologies like supply chain control towers and blockchain. These solutions provide real-time insights into inventory, orders, and potential disruptions, allowing companies to trace food origins and pinpoint contamination sources quickly. Supply chain control towers centralize data collection, management, and analysis, streamlining reporting processes, while blockchain offers a secure, tamper-proof record that ensures data consistency and transparency across all participants in the supply chain. By leveraging these technologies, suppliers can enhance traceability, reduce contamination risks, and build greater consumer trust.

Enhancing Data Consistency

Data consistency works in tandem with the integration of new technologies. The success of any traceability system under FSMA 204 relies on the consistency and accuracy of data collected throughout the supply chain. However, one of the most significant challenges businesses face is ensuring that data is recorded uniformly across different suppliers and systems. Inconsistent or incomplete data can lead to gaps in traceability, making it difficult to track products effectively or respond quickly to a recall. With the new regulation requiring detailed traceability information within 24 hours of a recall, any discrepancies or gaps in data could lead to delays in identifying contamination sources.

To ensure data consistency, suppliers can implement standardized data collection practices and utilize integrated technologies, such as supply chain control towers and blockchain. By implementing uniform data entry protocols across the entire supply chain, suppliers can avoid errors, discrepancies, and miscommunication that often result from inconsistent or fragmented data. Standardization helps streamline reporting and ensures that all parties—from suppliers to distributors—are working from the same set of accurate, reliable information.

Bringing Employees Along on the Journey

Investing in technology and ensuring data consistency are vital steps in preparing for FSMA 204, but they are only part of the equation. For these initiatives to succeed, businesses must also invest in their employees through training and education. Compliance with FSMA 204 requires everyone involved in the food supply chain to understand their role in the traceability process and the importance of accurate data reporting.

Training programs can be implemented at all levels of the organization to educate employees on the new traceability requirements and how they affect day-to-day operations. This includes not only teaching staff how to use new software solutions but also fostering a culture of accountability and food safety awareness, including setting up conversations with employees at every stage of the supply chain. Employees must understand that even minor data collection or reporting lapses can have significant consequences, from costly recalls to legal penalties and damage to brand reputation.

Continuous education is also key to keeping up with the evolving regulatory landscape. As food safety regulations change and new technologies emerge, businesses must keep their teams informed and updated. This can be achieved through regular workshops, webinars, or online courses that keep employees engaged and equipped with the latest knowledge.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with FSMA 204 can lead to serious consequences for both suppliers and retailers. The FDA has the authority to enforce various penalties, including civil or criminal actions in federal court. It’s important to remember that this rule is considered mandatory, and parties will be under real pressure from the government if they don’t take the necessary steps to ensure the traceability requirements under this act. Non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions for both companies and suppliers in the form of lawsuits and litigation. In addition, the FDA has the authority to impose significant fines, sanctions, and criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Suppliers that are unable to meet FSMA 204 requirements may also face financial loss and damage to the company’s reputation as retailers and manufacturers may decide to switch to more reliable partners. Compliance penalties can also result in lost sales and brand damage that can impact consumers’ decisions.

Operationally, non-compliance with FSMA 204 can disrupt supply chain processes, leading to delays in identifying and resolving contamination issues. The inability to quickly trace food inputs can result in prolonged and costly recalls. Furthermore, non-compliance can strain relationships with trading partners who rely on accurate traceability data for product safety.

Preparing for FSMA 204 requires a multifaceted approach that combines technology, data standardization, and employee engagement. By investing in solutions that streamline reporting, enhance data consistency, and bring employees along through training and education, F&B companies can position themselves for success. These actions will help ensure compliance with FSMA 204 and lead to more efficient, transparent, and resilient supply chains, ultimately improving food safety for consumers.

Lettuce

Traceability in Agriculture Labeling

By Jenna Wagner
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Lettuce

As consumers become more conscious of the origins of their food and demand greater transparency, the need for traceability systems has never been greater. Labels play a large role in this process, serving as the primary means of tracking products through the supply chain, from farm to table. This article explores the importance of traceability in agriculture, how labels enable it, and the emerging trends shaping the future of agricultural traceability.

The importance of traceability in agriculture

Traceability in agriculture is more than just a buzzword; it’s an important component of modern food production and distribution. Here’s why:

Food safety – Traceability in agriculture is essential for identifying and isolating products that may be contaminated or unsafe. If a safety issue arises, such as contamination or inaccurate allergen labeling, traceability systems enable fast identification of the affected products, allowing them to be isolated and removed from circulation before they reach consumers. This minimizes health risks and helps prevent foodborne illnesses, ensuring only safe products reach the market.

Compliance with regulations – Regulatory agencies often require proof of origin, handling practices, and proper labeling, especially for products that carry organic, non-GMO, or other certifications. Traceability systems make sure that all necessary information is documented and easily accessible, allowing businesses to meet compliance with local and international food safety standards.

Efficient recall management – In the event of a product recall, traceability enables companies to quickly and efficiently remove affected products from the market, minimizing risk to consumers and reducing financial losses. Food recalls due to safety concerns cost companies an average of $10 million per recall in direct costs, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) [1]. Enhanced traceability can help mitigate these risks.

Combatting counterfeiting – Traceability helps combat counterfeiting in the agricultural industry by verifying a product’s authenticity at each stage of the supply chain. With unique identifiers, batch numbers, and secure tracking systems, traceability ensures that each product can be traced back to its origin. This makes it difficult for counterfeit goods to sneak into the market. This helps protect consumers from the potential dangers associated with counterfeit foods, such as lower quality or unsafe ingredients.

Building consumer trust – The consumer demand for food transparency is increasing, especially when it comes to ethical and environmental considerations. A study by Label Insight found that 94% of consumers are likely to be loyal to a brand that offers complete product transparency [2]. This highlights how transparency is becoming a key factor in building consumer trust.

How labels on agricultural products enable traceability

Tracing agricultural products would not be possible without accurate labels. Here’s how labeling helps traceability in the agriculture industry:

Assignment of unique identifiers – Unique identifiers on labels, such as a barcode (e.g., UPC, EAN), QR code, RFID tag, or a custom alphanumeric string, play a big role in agriculture labeling traceability by assigning a distinct code to each product or batch. This allows for tracking of items from the point of origin through every stage of the supply chain.

Providing critical information – Labels on agricultural products provide critical information, such as the product’s origin, batch number, ingredients, and expiration date to help aid in traceability. This information allows every product to be linked back to its source and production history, facilitating the tracking process at every step of the supply chain.

Enabling supply chain tracking – As an agricultural product moves through different stages—harvesting, processing, packaging, and distribution—its label is scanned at key checkpoints. This scanning process updates the product’s status in real-time, allowing businesses to monitor its location, conditions such as food temperature, and movement. This tracking capability improves inventory management, optimizes logistics, and makes sure that products reach their destination efficiently and safely.

Four future trends in agricultural traceability and labeling

The landscape of agricultural traceability is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and consumer demands driving innovation:

Blockchain technology – Blockchain offers a secure way to record and share traceability information. With data that cannot be manipulated, blockchain enhances the trust of traceability systems. A report by Juniper Research found that blockchain technology, which enhances traceability, is expected to save the food industry $31 billion by 2024 by reducing fraud and errors and improving food safety [3].

Internet of Things (IoT) – IoT technology allows for real-time monitoring of critical factors such as temperature and humidity during transport. This ensures that products are stored in optimal conditions, further enhancing traceability.

Growing consumer demand for transparency – As consumers continue to demand more transparency, agricultural businesses must adapt by providing detailed information about their products’ origins, production processes, and supply chains.

Smart Labels – Smart Labels, which feature QR codes or RFID tags, allow consumers to scan and view additional product information that may not fit on a traditional label. This technology is becoming more popular as consumers seek.

How label design software helps with traceability

As consumer demand for transparency continues to grow, agricultural businesses must adapt by implementing traceability systems. Labels play a large part in this process, and with the right label design software, businesses can create, manage, and track labels that meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and consumer trust.

References

[1]: https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/safety/article/21123459/reducing-the-risk-of-recalls

[2]: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/landing-page/label-insight/

[3]: https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/blockchain-to-save-the-food-industry-31-billion/

Seafood Analytics CQR

Leveraging Automation for Enhanced Food Safety and Compliance

By Ainsley Lawrence
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Seafood Analytics CQR

The food industry faces increasing customer demand on top of snowballing regulatory concerns, and many are calling for automation to overcome these obstacles. Automation technologies reinforce food safety practices from processing to packaging by revamping sanitation, quality control, and more.

To begin leveraging automation for food safety in your sector today, the most important areas to focus on are automated monitoring systems, growing AI/ML capabilities, and exceeding regulatory compliance.

Automated Monitoring Systems in Food Safety

Automated monitoring systems have become the titanium backbone of modern food safety, offering greater control over critical processes. With human error as a prevalent risk factor for safety incidents, companies can mitigate accidents with automated systems to mitigate this risk by standardizing processes and enforcing predefined protocols.

This paradigm shift in the way we produce food makes food safer, helps keep workers safe, and makes food quality more consistent at large. Automated monitoring systems can help reduce common errors, drive more effective sanitation, and track your most sensitive critical control points.

Error Reduction through Automated Processes

Many small, common errors can be reduced or outright eliminated with automation. In seafood processing, for example, optical sorting machines consistently identify and remove substandard products. Rather than relying on the inconsistent human eye, machines can rapidly assess each item based on precise criteria such as size, color, and texture. Automation enhances human capabilities in this way by minimizing errors due to fatigue, such as in high-volume production sites.

Seafood Analytics CQR
The CQR device from Seafood Analytics measures the freshness and quality of seafood.

 

Consistent Sanitation Procedures

Maintaining sanitary conditions is critical for safety and regulatory compliance in food production environments. Automated cleaning systems, programmed with precise chemical concentrations and application methods, guarantee thorough and consistent sanitation. These systems meticulously track each cleaning cycle, providing auditable records for compliance purposes. In food packaging, robots can make wrapping products safer, identify foreign objects like bone/shell, and greatly reduce fatigue on workers.

Real-time Critical Control Point Tracking

Automated systems excel at monitoring critical control points (CCPs) in food production, dramatically reducing spoilage. Temperature sensors in cold storage facilities transmit continuous data streams, alerting staff to deviations before spoilage occurs. Meanwhile, automated pH meters and metal detectors in processing areas operate tirelessly with pinpoint precision to ensure consistent product quality and safety.

AI and Machine Learning Applications

Automation can only go so far without insight. AI and ML are carving a niche alongside automation, supplementing raw power with vast datasets and analytic powers to identify anomalies. Together, they enable systems to recognize patterns, flag issues, and optimize processes in ways previously unfeasible.

These technologies integrate with automated systems to monitor complex food production networks, uncovering subtle irregularities that might be missed by human inspection or conventional algorithms.

Traceability in Food Supply Chains

Supply chains are notoriously complex and unpredictable to track because they often involve multiple stages, from raw material sourcing to processing, packaging, distribution, and retail. Each step can involve different suppliers, locations, and regulations, making it difficult to maintain a clear, real-time view of where a product has been and what conditions it has encountered.

AI and machine learning address this by continuously analyzing data from various points, creating an interconnected web of information that companies can use to trace products with greater accuracy than ever before. Whether it’s identifying the origin of a raw ingredient or tracking environmental conditions during transportation, AI-driven traceability systems provide granular insights that facility managers can use to make improvements.

Predictive Analytics

Machine learning models trained on historical data and real-time inputs can predict food safety risks before they appear. In food packaging operations, these systems analyze factors such as temperature fluctuations and microbial growth rates to track CCPs and identify issues. Across departments, predictive maintenance algorithms anticipate equipment failures that could lead to contamination. With this insight, managers can reduce accidents, cut waste, and intervene before incidents occur.

Setting Up for AI and ML

Preparation and a solid foundation in data management are essential to make the most of what AI and machine learning have to offer. Food processing facilities must prioritize data quality, storage capacity, and scalability to harness these technologies. Companies looking to adopt AI and machine learning should:

  • Invest in Quality Data Collection: AI and ML require high-quality data, so IoT devices and sensors are deployed to gather accurate, real-time data across production stages.
  • Choose Scalable Storage: Opt for cloud-based storage to handle increasing data volumes and facilitate easy access and integration.
  • Select Flexible AI Tools: Choose AI and machine learning platforms that can adapt to changing business needs and integrate with existing systems as smoothly as possible.
  • Train Staff with AI/ML: These technologies are only as good as the workers using them – provide training for employees on how to use AI tools effectively to maximize their potential.

AI can make workflows more efficient, but introducing it should always be met with deliberate planning and testing.

Regulatory Compliance and Automation

Automation tech plays a crucial role in helping food businesses navigate the complex regulatory landscape, which is subject to change. As food safety standards evolve, management should look to not just match but exceed regulatory compliance in anticipation of tightening requirements.

Robust food safety standards are essential for maintaining product integrity and consumer trust, but they only work when combined with automated documentation and reporting. Lastly, a new challenge facing food production is handling human-robot interaction in a Wild West-esque tech frontier.

Food Safety Standards

Regulatory bodies frequently update food safety standards to identify emerging risks and incorporate new scientific findings. Automation helps streamline this process for companies fighting a web of red tape by allowing for swift reconfiguration of monitoring parameters and control processes. For instance, AI-powered testing equipment can be remotely updated to detect new microbial threats without overhauling entire production lines. This flexibility helps companies stay ahead of the regulatory curve and slim costs simultaneously.

Automated Reporting and Documentation

Automated systems are stellar at simplifying food safety compliance, able to effortlessly generate and update detailed, real-time records of every aspect of food production and handling. From temperature logs to sanitation schedules, automated reporting tools compile data into a proper regulatory format and ease administrative burdens. While the primary goal is to demonstrate regulatory compliance, this data also proves itself a treasure trove for companies to improve their practices ahead of regulatory change.

Tackle Human-Robot Interaction

The concept of human-robot collaboration isn’t new, but it’s becoming increasingly more common, and the average food production worker is more likely than ever to work with a robot. This paradigm shift requires a new approach to work, which prioritizes streamlining repetitive or laborious tasks, clear communication, and continuous training as capabilities increase. It’s also worth noting that managers can alleviate worries about ‘being replaced with a machine’ by focusing on how technology supplements humans rather than wholesale replacing them in the workplace.

Workers production line
Workers in a factory sorting food by hand, could be assisted by new robot technology. (Unsplash image)

Final Thoughts

Automation, including robotics, AI, and machine learning, is pivotal in enhancing food safety and compliance across the industry. By using automated monitoring systems, food production sites can reduce human error and standardize processes. At the same time, AI and machine learning provide real-time data analysis and predictive insights if companies are willing to put in the work needed to prepare for automation. In that case, they can help reduce accidents, enhance efficiency, monitor food quality, and keep up with regulatory compliance at a fraction of their previous efforts.

Spreadsheets, food safety documentation

Survey Says… 48% of F&B Suppliers Rely on Spreadsheets

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Spreadsheets, food safety documentation

From June 24, 2024 through July 15, 2024, TraceGains conducted an online survey of 483 food
and beverage industry suppliers to better understand supplier readiness and drivers for change and found
most suppliers stuck in the past, unprepared for change with legacy processes despite a
willingness and understanding on the benefits for modernizing.

To quantify the problem, a new report “Old Habits, New Challenges: The Critical Need for
Modernization in Food and Beverage Supply Chains” found nearly half (48%) of all suppliers
commonly rely on legacy approaches to manage communications with F&B buyers.

These legacy approaches hinder efficiency, with more than two-thirds (71%) of respondents
admitting these methods often cause issues such as data entry errors (39%) and
miscommunication (32%), negatively impacting their ability to operate effectively.

As the regulatory landscape becomes more complex, manual processes will be pushed to the
edge. In fact, compliance with regulatory change made the top-3 list of reasons
suppliers want to modernize their software. Requirements such as the U.S. Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule for Traceability (204), set to take effect in January 2026, will
impose stricter traceability requirements for certain food materials. And, in Europe existing
mandates such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) already
require time-based sustainability reporting, adding further compliance challenges.

Sustainability continues to be a priority for almost all suppliers, with nine in ten (89%) saying it’s
at least somewhat important for new technologies to align with their company’s corporate
sustainability objectives.

Cost, however, remains the largest factor influencing software purchasing decisions, with 77%
of suppliers citing it as their top consideration, followed by ease of implementation (65%) and
customer support (56%).

Enhancing Food Safety: The Impact of FSMA’s Traceability Rule on the Supply Chain

By Jacob Olson
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The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is designed to enhance food safety by establishing and regulating traceability requirements. The act mandates that all parties in the supply chain share critical information to address potential food safety issues. This article discusses FSMA requirements for comprehensive recordkeeping, including defining Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and Key Data Elements (KDEs). It highlights the crucial role of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in meeting compliance and optimizing food traceability. EDI automates data exchange, improves visibility, simplifies compliance, and enables rapid outbreak response. By investing in EDI technology, organizations can establish a strong foundation for complying with FSMA regulations and ensuring food safety.

The Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) final ruling for the Food Safety Modernization Act has introduced new stringent regulations that organizations who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods must follow. The final rule mandates that all parties in the supply chain, from suppliers to retailers, share critical information to promptly address potential food safety issues. This ruling underscores the critical role of technology in maintaining compliance and ensuring safety throughout the food supply chain.

The latest FSMA updates require comprehensive recordkeeping for businesses involved in food production and distribution. Companies must now document key data elements (KDEs) tied to critical tracking events (CTEs) in the food supply chain. This includes manufacturing, processing, packing, and distribution activities for foods listed on the Food Traceability List (FTL). Organizations must provide this data to the FDA within a timely manner and in compliance with accepted standards.

Defining Critical Tracking Events (CTEs)

Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) are key checkpoints that mark the movement of food products from their origin to the retailer or consumer. These milestones offer visibility into the product’s journey through the supply chain. CTEs represent significant points in the food supply chain where specific actions occur, such as:

  • Receiving raw materials from suppliers
  • Processing and manufacturing food products
  • Packaging and labeling items for distribution
  • Shipping products to distribution centers
  • Receiving products by retailers or food service establishments
  • Selling products to consumers

Defining Key Data Elements (KDEs)

The FDA identifies Key Data Elements (KDEs) as crucial details linked to specific CTEs. This information provides essential insights into food products and their journey through the supply chain. KDEs may include:

  • Product Identifiers: Lot numbers, batch numbers, and serial numbers
  • Key Data Attributes: Ingredients, packaging materials, production and expiration dates, storage conditions
  • Chain of Custody: Records of entities handling and transporting products
  • Contact Information: Details of organizations responsible for food safety and emergency responses

Record Keeping Requirements

FSMA’s updated guidelines include specific requirements for the format and duration of recordkeeping. These records must also be available within 24 hours of an FDA inquiry and must be preserved for at least two years. The FDA mandates documentation be preserved in its original format and readily searchable electronically. Consequently, your organization must establish protocols for recordkeeping, product identification, and traceability lot code allocation.

Role of Electronic Data Interchange in Food Traceability

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is vital for meeting FSMA compliance and recording critical information such as CTEs and KDEs. EDI automates the exchange of traceability data by integrating with and extracting information from enterprise resource planning (ERP) or warehouse management system (WMS) solutions. EDI can ensure accuracy in KDEs to adhere to critical and time sensitive regulations. EDI also reduces potential manual data entry errors and ensures timely data management. Your suppliers and customers will have different levels of technical aptitude so remember; all types of EDI can be leveraged to achieve these outcomes, including traditional X12 EDI, EDIFACT EDI, and TRADACOMS EDI, along with other electronic data like APIs, JSON or XML, Flat Files, Spreadsheets, and web portals.

This technology streamlines the management of lot information, including its reception, translation, and distribution, and even enables direct integration of lot numbers into ERP systems. This integrated approach enables compliance and benefits all supply chain stakeholders by providing critical data for swift responses to any FDA inquiries regarding food traceability and safety.

EDI is crucial for optimizing food traceability within the supply chain by facilitating the accurate and efficient collection of KDEs and CTEs through the following:

  • Automation: EDI automates data exchanges, reducing manual input errors and facilitating efficient data management. It ensures precise tracking of food products with details such as purchase orders, invoices, and shipment notices.
  • Visibility: EDI is the foundation to providing real-time insights into product movement across the supply chain. Coupled with a modern integration platform, this enables businesses to track products from their origin to the end consumer.
  • Compliance: EDI simplifies compliance with food safety regulations by enabling the electronic recording and transmission of critical traceability data, streamlining the audit process.

Benefits of EDI Technology in Achieving FSMA Compliance

EDI offers several advantages beyond enhancing food traceability. It also positions your organization to proactively adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes. By investing in a modern, scalable EDI platform, you can establish a strong foundation for complying with upcoming FSMA regulations. To meet FSMA requirements, businesses need adaptable processes and procedures supported by technology that seamlessly integrates and automates critical data exchange. EDI integration specifically contributes to FSMA compliance by enabling:

  • Rapid Outbreak Response: EDI facilitates the quick exchange of standardized documents, simplifying the tracking of food movement and enabling a swift response to contamination outbreaks.
  • Efficient Recordkeeping: EDI automates the generation, storage, and sharing of electronic records, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility.
  • Improved Supplier and Customer Management: EDI supports real-time communication with suppliers, customers, carriers, and the other key components of your supply chain, enhancing management and simplifying compliance.
  • Risk Management: EDI integrates with other systems to enable data-driven risk assessments, monitoring critical control points, shelf life, and temperature controls to mitigate foodborne hazards.
  • Audit Readiness: EDI simplifies the capture, retrieval, and presentation of records, ensuring companies are always prepared for FDA inspections and can demonstrate compliance.

The cornerstone of food traceability under FSMA hinges on accurately identifying and documenting CTEs and KDEs. These regulations mandate electronically accessible and readily searchable records, underscoring the need for automated B2B integration technologies like EDI. EDI systems optimize data collection, minimizing errors and ensure real-time access to critical information. By automating these processes, EDI not only facilitates compliance but also enhances operational efficiency and responsiveness to potential food safety incidents.

The FSMA food traceability rules represent a pivotal advancement in safeguarding the food supply chain. By enforcing meticulous recordkeeping and rapid data retrieval, the regulation empowers authorities to swiftly identify and address food safety risks, protecting public health. Implementing advanced technologies such as EDI is essential for both compliance and operational excellence. These systems automate data sharing, improve transparency, and foster a connected supply chain all leading to improved business partner relationships, increasing revenue, and higher profitability.

As the industry navigates these rigorous standards, embracing technology will not only ensure compliance but also cultivate a more resilient and responsive food system capable of effectively managing food safety challenges.

Traceability in food manufacturing, Honeywell
Beltway Beat

Produce Traceability: Uncovering the Gaps in Your Program

By Samantha Humphrey
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Traceability in food manufacturing, Honeywell

The produce industry handles an estimated six billion cases of produce in the U.S. each year. [i] Because a significant portion of this produce travels through the supply chain to reach customers, many produce companies already have traceability program in place. With the finalization of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rule: Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods [ii] (Food Traceability Rule), the question is whether these existing traceability programs, systems, and procedures meet new FDA requirements.

A gap assessment can do just that—determine what requirements your existing programs already meet and identify where improvements are needed to comply with the final Food Traceability Rule by the January 2026 deadline.

Steps for Conducting a Gap Assessment

Not surprisingly, many produce companies already have elements of a traceability program that fulfill some of the Final Rule’s requirements. A gap assessment serves as the starting point for:

  • Understanding your regulatory obligations compared to your current compliance status.
  • Determining if existing programs, procedures, and systems are good as is, need improvement, or are missing and need to be developed.

Performing a gap assessment will help you compare what you have to what you need. The following steps will get you started:

  1. Find the most current copy of the standard you will compare against your programs. You will likely want to use the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 21, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Part 1, Subpart S [iii], as it outlines specific expectations for general provisions, Traceability Plan, records of Critical Tracking Events (CTEs), and more.
  2. After you are familiar with the rule, review the most current version of your own program. A systematic review over time may make conducting a gap analysis more manageable. Start by identifying which of your products are on the Food Traceability List (FTL) [iv], what CTEs you perform, and which Key Data Elements (KDEs) you are already collecting. Have you overlooked a CTE? Have you forgotten a KDE? Refer to the questions below as you conduct this gap assessment. Document all missing elements.
  3. Compare your Traceability Plan to what is required by the new rule. Document the items you have identified as missing from your Traceability Plan.
  4. Develop and document your strategy to address each gap identified in steps 2 and 3 above. There may be some items that can be addressed immediately, while others may require additional time and support. You may need to create new logs, enlist the help of other departments, or acquire approval from your supervisors to make the necessary changes. Set realistic goals to implement the required updates by the compliance date.
  5. Train or retrain employees. Tell them why the changes are happening, acknowledge the importance of compliance with the new rule, and empower them to make the necessary changes.
  6. Notify management, customers, and suppliers of changes to your program to ensure everyone involved is on the same page.

Turning Gaps into Opportunities: Key Questions to Ask

Asking the right questions is key to ensure your gap assessment identifies required missing elements in your programs compared to the rule. The following questions can help guide your food traceability gap assessment:

  • Do you manufacture, pack, process, or hold any of the foods found on the FTL? The FDA developed the FTL considering a few specific food safety factors, including frequency of outbreaks, occurrences of illness, severity of illness, likelihood of contamination, potential for pathogen growth, process contamination, consumption rate, and cost of illness. Comparing your products to the FTL may indicate the likelihood of your produce being implicated in a recall or outbreak event and will underscore the importance of your organization’s compliance with the Traceability Rule.
  • Are you performing CTEs? These include harvesting, cooling, initial packing, first land-based receiving (food obtained from a fishing vessel), shipping, receiving, or transforming any of the foods on the FTL. If so, specific data must be collected. Do you understand and are you meeting these data collection requirements?
  • Does your organization capture data that is considered a KDE? For example, do you apply lot codes to your products? Do you collect detailed location information about where your product is harvested (e.g., farm site A, field 7)? Determine if there is any specific information, data points, or additional KDEs you must capture and maintain to meet FDA requirements (e.g., date, harvest crew, common name of the commodity and variety, etc.). The data required is dependent on which of the CTEs you are performing. This guide from the FDA[v] can help determine whether you are collecting all the required data. Once you know what data you are missing, as identified by your gap assessment, you can determine how to best record it (e.g., developing new processes and procedures, implementing a new lot code sticker program).
  • Do you have a sufficient Traceability Plan? Does your Plan cover all the elements required in the Food Traceability Rule? The Traceability Plan must include the following, at a minimum:
    • Description of the procedures used to maintain required records, as well as how to format and where to store those records.
    • Description of how lot codes are assigned.
    • Assignment of and contact information for a point person who can answer questions about the Traceability Plan and/or traceability records.
    • Map identifying the farms where FTL produce is grown.
    • Updates to reflect updated or new practices.
  • What recordkeeping system are you using? Are there upgrades you need to make to your recordkeeping system to solve your data collection pain points? Can your system handle new requirements? Is required information readily retrievable? While hard copies in binders and Excel spreadsheets can work, an electronic document management system can create efficiencies and standardization, reduce human error, and improve accessibility when managing vast amounts of data. Your gap assessment can help you identify and better understand your needs and requirements prior to investing in an IT solution that helps streamline your traceability process and improve overall compliance efficiency.
  • How are you sharing data? What collaborative activities can you and your suppliers/buyers perform to ensure efficient data sharing? How do you communicate and with what frequency? What systems are your partners using? What is the best way to connect them to enable data sharing? It is important to ensure you have established processes, systems, and methods of communication throughout the supply chain to facilitate the required documentation, information sharing, and collaboration.

The answers to these questions will identify elements that you need to implement to help ensure compliance. Getting started on your gap assessment now affords time for produce companies to identify compliance program gaps, test protocols and verify their effectiveness, implement corrective actions, and ensure adequate traceability processes are in place before the January 2026 deadline.

[i] The Produce Traceability Initiative. https://producetraceability.org/.

[ii] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FSMA Final Rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods. June 27, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods.

[iii] Code of Federal Regulation. Title 21, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Part 1, Subpart S. July 3, 2024. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-S?toc=1.

[iv] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food Traceability List. March 30, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/food-traceability-list.

[v] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food Traceability Rule: Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and Key Data Elements (KDEs). https://www.fda.gov/media/163132/download?attachment.

Produce Traceability: 4 Steps to Get Started

By Samantha Humphrey
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With the effective date for updated traceability recordkeeping approaching in January 2026, traceability is a top priority for most organizations working in the food industry. Produce companies are especially impacted by traceability requirements as the first step in the food supply chain.

On November 21, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rule: Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (Food Traceability Rule). With the effective date for updated recordkeeping approaching in January 2026, traceability is a top priority for most organizations working in the food industry. Produce companies are especially impacted by traceability requirements as the first step in the food supply chain.

Most produce companies are no strangers to the importance of traceability. In fact, the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) was created over 15 years ago as a voluntary, industry-wide effort designed to help the industry maximize the effectiveness of current track and trace procedures, while developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of traceability systems for the future. The PTI has set dozens of companies throughout North America—ranging from small farms to international retailers—on the path to enhanced traceability and compliance with the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule.[i]

The following steps can help any produce company, whether it currently follows the PTI or not, prepare to meet FDA’s traceability requirements:

  1. Understand the Food Traceability Rule.

While the FDA has had traceability requirements in the past, the FSMA Food Traceability Rule is intended to enhance traceability recordkeeping for certain identified foods beyond a limited “one step forward, one step back” traceback approach. The objective of the Rule is to help the FDA rapidly and effectively identify recipients of those foods to prevent or mitigate foodborne illness outbreaks and address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death.[ii]

In comparing the FSMA Rule to the PTI, a recent PTI press release states that the requirements of the PTI for case-level traceability are aligned with the Final Rule and cover approximately 90-95% of the requirements, with major differences stemming from the Traceability Lot Code Source and Traceability Lot Code Source Reference.[iii]

The key elements of the FDA Rule are built into several acronyms:

  • FTL (Food Traceability List): This list identifies the categories of high-risk foods that require additional traceability records under the Food Traceability Rule. The FTL currently comprises the following produce commodities: cucumbers, fresh herbs, leafy greens, melons, peppers, sprouts, tomatoes, tropical tree fruits, and fresh cut fruits and vegetables. Other non-produce foods on the FTL include cheeses, shell eggs, nut butter, finfish, crustaceans, mollusks/bivalves, and ready-to-eat (RTE) deli salads.
  • TLC (Traceability Lot Code): This descriptor, often containing a combination of letters and numbers, is used as a unique identifier for product as it moves through the supply chain. The TLC is to be established by entities that originate, transform, or create food on the FTL. Once a food has been assigned a TLC, the TLC must be included in traceability program records collected at each Critical Tracking Event (CTE) and as a part of all Key Data Elements (KDEs) (see below). The TLC remains the same throughout the supply chain unless a transformation of the food occurs. The objective is to create linkages throughout the supply chain to help the FDA address key points in the supply chain more quickly in the event of an outbreak.
  • CTE (Critical Tracking Event): CTEs are the events in the food supply chain that require additional recordkeeping. These include harvesting, cooling before initial packing, packing, transforming, shipping, and receiving. At each CTE, the responsible entity must record the TLC.
  • KDE (Key Data Element): KDEs comprise the information associated with a CTE for which a record, including a TLC, must be maintained. Examples of KDEs include location description of the food being harvested; name of the field or growing area where the produce was harvested; date of harvest; quantity and unit of measure of the produce; date when the produce went from harvest, to cooling, to packing, to shipping, etc.
  1. Interpret the Rule and Determine its Applicability.

To determine the Rule’s applicability, it is important to first take an inventory of your operations and products:

  • Do you grow cucumbers, herbs, leafy greens, melons, peppers, sprouts, tomatoes, or tropical tree fruits?
  • Do you process fresh cut fruits, leafy greens, or vegetables other than leafy greens?
  • Do you manufacture a product that contains any of the foods listed above?

If the Rule applies (i.e., you answered yes to any of the three questions above), you must:

  • Maintain specific data records (i.e., KDEs) for at least two years.
  • Keep records of all CTEs.
  • Maintain an approved, updated Traceability Plan.
  • Ensure all data is easily accessible so it can be provided to the FDA within 24 hours of a request.

Note that there are a few nuanced exemptions that apply to farms, as noted on this FDA flow chart.[iv]

  1. Perform a Gap Assessment.

Most produce companies are likely capturing at least some of the information needed to comply with the Food Traceability Rule, particularly if they already implement the PTI requirements. Conducting a gap assessment will help identify missing elements that may be required for compliance with FDA’s Rule. The following questions can help guide this assessment:

  • Does your organization already capture data that may be considered a KDE? For example, do you apply lot codes to your products? Do you collect location information about where your product is harvested (e.g., farm site A, field 7)? Determine if there is any specific information or data points you are missing and how you can gather that data.
  • Do you have a sufficient Traceability Plan? Does it cover all the elements required in the Food Traceability Rule?
  • Are there upgrades you need to make to your recordkeeping system to solve your data collection pain points? Having a good document/records management system is essential for maintaining and sharing the data required by the Food Traceability Rule.
  • What collaborative activities can you and your suppliers/buyers perform to ensure that data is shared efficiently and encourage compliance?
  1. Create a Plan of Implementation.

The gap assessment will identify elements that you need to implement to help ensure compliance. Use that information to create a game plan, working backwards from the Rule’s January 20, 2026 effective date. Doing so now affords time to test solutions, see how they work in practice, problem solve, and find the right solutions for your organization.

At a minimum the implementation plan must include two key elements that will be vital for compliance:

  • Traceability Plan. Every organization must develop a new (or update an existing) Traceability Plan for collecting the KDEs that are required by the Rule, as outlined in the CFR[v] (see also the FDA example of a Traceability Plan for Farms[vi]). The Traceability Plan must be updated annually, and old plans must be maintained for at least two years. The Traceability Plan must include:
    • Description of the procedures used to maintain required records, as well as how to format and where to store those records.
    • Description of how TLCs are assigned.
    • Assignment of and contact information for a point person who can answer questions about the Traceability Plan and/or traceability records.
    • Map identifying the farms where FTL produce is grown.
  • Document/Records Management System. Produce companies who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the FTL will need to implement a document/records management system to fulfill the Food Traceability Rule’s recordkeeping requirements. While hard copies in binders can work, an electronic document management system can create efficiencies and standardization, reduce human error, and improve accessibility when managing vast amounts of data.

As produce companies work through this process, it is important to remember the objective of the Food Traceability Rule. Ultimately, the Rule will allow the food industry to quickly remove potentially harmful foods from the supply chain and make the entire recall process more efficient. Even if the FTL list does not apply to all your products, your customers may still require that all produce they purchase meet the same requirements as foods listed on the FTL. Creating this end-to-end traceability will save time, money, and most importantly, human lives.

[i] Produce Traceability Initiative. The Produce Traceability Initiative: Working to achieve standardized, electronic (computerized) traceability across the supply chain. September 2011. https://producetraceability.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PTI-Flyer_FNL_v2-2011-10-20.pdf.

[ii] Food and Drug Administration. What you need to know about the Food Traceability Rule: Recordkeeping Information for Produce Farms. June 2023. https://www.fda.gov/media/169510/download.

[iii] The Produce Traceability Initiative. Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) Releases FSMA 204 Implementation Guidance. February 13, 2024. https://producetraceability.org/produce-traceability-initiative-pti-releases-fsma-204-implementation-guidance/.

[iv] Food and Drug Administration. Exemptions to the Food Traceability Rule. https://collaboration.fda.gov/tefcv13/.

[v] National Archives and Records Administration. CFR Title 21, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 1, Subpart S, Traceability Plan. May 21, 2024. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-S/subject-group-ECFRe6c9096adb572d4.

[vi] Food and Drug Administration. Traceability Plan Example for Farms (§1.1315). November 2023. https://www.fda.gov/media/174057/download?attachment.