TRACEABILITY AND FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN
BY KATIE FORSYTHE
When it comes to the food supply chain, safety is of utmost importance. Your customers in these industries likely have to routinely adapt their practices to comply with the everchanging rules and regulations from the FDA– such as its recent focus on food distribution being more visible to consumers.
To prevent potential issues regarding food safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was introduced into legislation. The FSMA Final Rule (204) specifically focuses on more requirements for traceability within the supply chain. Here’s how labeling technologies like RFID, QR codes, and barcodes can help your food manufacturer and distributor customers comply with FSMA 204 and increase their general traceability capabilities.
FSMA 204 is also known as the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule. The rule requires additional recordkeeping as specific foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) move through manufacturing, processing, packing and holding. The act is designed to address the significant public health burden of foodborne diseases that hospitalize about 48 million people each year in the United States. Companies must comply with FSMA 204 by January 20, 2026.
Here are some of the foods on the Food Traceability Lists. Visit FDA’s website for more information.
Shell Eggs
Soft Cheeses
Refrigerated Ready-to-Eat Deli Salads
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Nut Butters
Seafood
The businesses and organizations that work with foods on the FTL must maintain records with Key Data Elements (KDEs) for specific supply chain activities, which are defined as Critical Tracking Events (CTEs). By ensuring accurate tracking of CTEs and KDEs, companies can strengthen food safety practices, reduce contamination risks, and enhance consumer protection.
CTEs refer to the specific points in the food production and distribution process where food is handled, transformed, or moved, such as harvesting, packing, shipping, and receiving. These events are critical for tracking a product’s journey and identifying potential contamination points.
KDEs are the specific pieces of information that must be recorded at each CTE to ensure accurate traceability. This data includes essential details such as lot codes, shipment dates, and product descriptions, providing a comprehensive record of a product’s path from origin to consumer.
To comply with FSMA requirements, businesses must implement labeling solutions that enhance tracking, recall management, and data accuracy. RFID, QR codes, and barcode labels are three key technologies that facilitate compliance while improving operational efficiency.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to products, pallets, or containers. Unlike traditional barcodes, RFID does not require a direct line of sight for scanning, making it a powerful tool for food safety compliance.
QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that store information such as product details, batch numbers, and expiration dates. They can be scanned using a smartphone or scanner, making them highly accessible to both businesses and consumers.
Barcodes are widely used across industries for tracking and inventory management. They consist of machine-readable lines and numbers that store product information, making them essential for FSMA compliance.
Implementing RFID, QR codes, and barcode labels in the food industry is a game-changer for FSMA compliance. These labeling technologies can significantly enhance traceability by allowing businesses to track food products efficiently from farm to fork. With real-time data capture, companies can quickly identify a product’s origin, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the supply chain. This capability not only helps businesses comply with regulatory requirements but also strengthens consumer trust by providing detailed product information at every stage of distribution.
Beyond traceability, these labeling solutions play a crucial role in food safety and operational efficiency. In the event of a recall, businesses can swiftly locate and remove contaminated products, minimizing health risks and financial losses. Digital record-keeping reduces human errors associated with manual data entry, improving reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance. Additionally, RFID, QR codes, and barcodes streamline inventory management, reducing waste and optimizing supply chain processes. By integrating multiple labeling methods, companies can create a flexible and robust traceability system that meets their unique operational needs while ensuring FSMA compliance.
Implementing RFID, QR codes, and barcodes across the food supply chain plays a crucial role in meeting FSMA compliance requirements.
RFID tags enable real-time tracking of fruits and vegetables from farms to distribution centers and grocery stores. By using RFID to capture data on temperature, humidity, and transit times, your customers can quickly identify issues that could impact product quality.
When scanned, QR codes provide immediate access to product history, enabling retailers and consumers to verify food safety information. In the event of a recall, QR codes allow for faster identification of affected batches, reducing risks and improving response times.
RFID tags provide real-time data on temperature deviations, alerting suppliers and distributors to any issues that may compromise product integrity. By ensuring strict cold chain compliance, RFID technology helps reduce food waste and protects consumers from potential health hazards.
RFID allows for bulk scanning of pallets and shipments without direct line-of-sight, expediting the sorting and tracking process. Meanwhile, barcodes offer a cost-effective and widely adopted solution for managing individual product data. These technologies can improve operational efficiency, reduce shrinkage, and maintain better control over food traceability.
QR codes bridge the gap between product packaging and digital information by providing instant access to ingredient lists, nutritional values, and allergen warnings. Consumers can scan a QR code with their smartphones to verify whether a product meets their dietary needs.
Navigating FSMA compliance requires reliable labeling solutions, and we are here to support you with high-quality RFID, QR code, and barcode labels tailored to your customer’s needs. Our service bureau ensures that your labels are properly formatted, printed, and encoded for seamless integration into your customer’s products. Whether you need RFID labels for real-time tracking, QR code labels for enhanced transparency, or barcodes for efficient inventory management, DLS has the expertise and technology to help. Reach out to one of our RFID experts today to discuss your labeling requirements or visit our page to learn more about how RFID technology can enhance your traceability and compliance efforts.
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