Is Your Business Ready for FSMA 204, The Food Traceability Rule?
Prepare your business for the Food Traceability Rule by downloading our free 7-Step Compliance Checklist.
FSMA 204, aka The Food Traceability Rule, sets additional food traceability recordkeeping responsibilities for businesses who manufacture, process, pack, or hold certain ‘high-risk’ foods that are identified on FDA’s Food Traceability List. These traceability requirements are being introduced to allow for rapid identification and removal of contaminated foods.
Growers, packers and shippers who produce or handle foods listed by the FDA must take proactive steps to get up to speed before the compliance deadline of July 20th, 2028.
Critical Tracking Events (CTEs): Businesses impacted by FSMA 204 need to monitor activities at certain critical points throughout the food supply chain. The FDA has listed seven key events in total. CTEs that impact growers, packers and shippers include harvesting, cooling, initial packing, first land-based receiver, and shipping.
Key Data Elements (KDEs): Organizations are required to keep a record of specific traceability data (i.e. KDEs) related to the associated critical tracking events. The data you need to provide will vary depending on the activity.
Growers, packers and shippers occupy a similar space in the food supply chain. Growers produce the raw agricultural commodity. Packers package raw food products from farms or fishing vessels, which are then transported by Shippers.
Given their role at the start of the food supply chain, growers, packers and shippers play a crucial role in the traceability of food.
Effective traceability recordkeeping and supply chain transparency is at the heart of FSMA 204 compliance.
In the event of an outbreak, growers, packers and shippers need to be able to trace food back to a batch-lot level. Amongst other responsibilities, organizations at this early stage of the supply chain need to record harvest details and work together to assign lot codes.
Prepare your business for the Food Traceability Rule by downloading our free 7-Step Compliance Checklist.
Learn about the rule and the core requirements Understand your own specific food traceability duties Put a plan in place to help you comply Be part of creating a safer, more transparent supply chain 