FDA’s Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) takes effect on January 20, 2026 – less than one year from today. Are you prepared to meet compliance requirements?
To comply, organizations that handle foods included on the Food Traceability List (FTL) must track Key Data Elements (KDEs) for specifi c Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and provide the FDA with an electronic sortable spreadsheet within 24 hours upon request.
Success Requires Collaboration
AWG is committed to meeting the January 20, 2026, FSMA 204 compliance deadline, which requires collaboration with its members and vendors. AWG has partnered with iFoodDS, a traceability solution provider off ering fl exible traceability solutions for organizations of all sizes to support this eff ort. Through this partnership, AWG will send shipping KDEs to member retailers, who can choose from several options to receive and manage this data.
Key Compliance Areas for AWG Members
Most AWG members will need to comply with FSMA 204 by tracking KDEs for the CTEs relevant to their operations. Here’s what to focus on:
Receiving:
- Capture shipping KDEs from suppliers and use that data to create your receiving KDEs.
- Verify your suppliers can send their shipping KDEs in a suitable format.
Shipping:
- Larger member retailers with warehouses that ship product to stores must record and store shipping KDEs and share them with the receiver of the product.
- Central kitchens or stores with contractual agreements to ship products must also record shipping KDEs.
Transformation:
- Members repacking or preparing FTL foods (e.g., in central kitchens) must record transformation KDEs and create new traceability lot codes.
AWG has a plan for sending shipping KDEs to its members, so if you receive most of your products from AWG, you’re in great shape. Remember, the more suppliers you have, the more complex the process.
How iFoodDS Supports FSMA 204 Compliance for AWG Member Retailers
iFoodDS provides several options for members who need a traceability solution:
- Securely capture and store shipping, receiving, and transformation KDEs.
- Quickly generate electronic sortable spreadsheets.
- Access valuable reports and dashboards to traceback across the supply chain.
If you simply need to receive shipping KDEs from AWG, iFoodDS off ers a variety of methods to do that, too. You can even receive data from AWG and store it in a traceability system you already have in place.
Steps AWG Members Should Take Now
- Understand the Food Traceability List (FTL) products you stock, produce, or ship.
- Identify the Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) your organization is responsible for, and confirm you have a capable system to capture, maintain, and share your CTEs and KDEs.
- Confirm your other supply chain partners can share their shipping KDEs with you. AWG is already putting its plan in place.
- Confirm you can store CTEs and KDEs for 2 years and quickly generate an electronic sortable spreadsheet.
- Develop a plan to test systems and processes, address gaps, and fi nalize your compliance strategy.
The Time to Act is Now
With less than a year until FSMA 204 goes into eff ect, now is the time to prepare. Collaborate with AWG and take advantage of iFoodDS’s expertise to simplify compliance. Start building your plan today and ensure your organization is ready for the road ahead.
We look forward to discussing how we can support your journey at the AWG Innovation Summit in March.
iFoodDS Trace Exchange™ is the leading FSMA 204 solution to meet regulatory requirements and gain a competitive edge.
