Resources
FSMA 204, the Food Traceability Rule and lot code tracking.
The food traceability FSMA 204 requirements are recordkeeping requirements under the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule designed to increase the speed and accuracy of food recalls. Companies that make, process, pack, transport, store or retail food items on the Food Traceability List (
The food traceability rule is a federal regulation, the FSMA Rule 204, that mandates that businesses keep in-depth records of Key Data Elements (KDEs) for certain foods so that they can trace back easily in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak. In the United States, automate
Every time a contaminated food product triggers a recall, investigators need to answer one urgent question: which products, exactly, were affected? Without a precise answer, manufacturers are forced to pull entire product lines, retailers clear whole shelves, and consumers panic
Food traceability is no longer a choice. Under the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA) Rule 204 by the FDA, the companies within the food supply chain have to enhance their product-to-consumer tracking methods. Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) are one of the most significant noti
This is exactly the reason that the FDA has created FSMA 204 – and that FSMA 204 compliance is an important milestone in food safety.
The FDA has recently started a quarterly podcast that is focusing on the new era for smarter food safety initiative that is composed of four core elements.
Starting in 2026, you may need to follow new traceability rules for the foods you process. These rules apply to any manufacturer who works with foods like fresh produce and fish. Look at the FDA’s Food Traceability List for the complete list of foods affected by these rules. The
Section 204 is a part of the greater Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulation passed in 2010 and signed by President Barack Obama in 2011. Section 204 focuses on the Food Traceability list (FTL) was finalized and released in November 2022. The FDA requires compliance in th
