Lucy Angarita is the Director of Food Supply Chain visibility at GS1 US, where she works with retail, grocery, foodservice, and healthcare companies to increase data quality, operational efficiencies, and full supply chain traceability. With over 20 years of experience in program management and process improvement, as well as a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, she has a passion for solving complex problems and delivering value to customers and stakeholders.

Prior to joining GS1 US, she led a team at Independent Purchasing Cooperative that focused on supply chain data governance and GS1 standards adoption, as well as incident management, for the SUBWAY® system. She also participated in various GS1 workgroups to collaborate and promote trading partner alignment in the foodservice industry. Lucy has a strong background in food safety and quality, and she is committed to advancing the adoption of GS1 standards for enhanced traceability and transparency in the food supply chain.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Lucy [54:14] about:

• The challenges industry is facing related to Section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), also known as the Food Traceability Final Rule, as the January 2026 compliance date approaches 
• Progress toward compliance that is being made through supply chain-wide alignment, facilitated by initiatives like the GS1 US FSMA 204 work group
• How a continuous improvement approach can help industry more easily meet the FSMA 204 deadline
• Immediate actions companies should be taking to achieve FSMA 204 compliance, and why it is not necessary to “reinvent the wheel”
• Reasons industry should begin their traceability journeys now, even if legislative proposals to delay or weaken FSMA 204 are passed.
• How GS1 US standards help enhance traceability and transparency in the food supply chain, and how GS1 US is working to help companies achieve FSMA 204 compliance.

Before we speak to Lucy, listen to Adrienne’s interview with Julie McGill [32:17], Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Compliance at Trustwell, to gain valuable insights regarding FSMA 204 implementation. She provides strategic guidance to drive the implementation of effective supply chain strategies, from her deep understanding of the industry. Julie previously spent 16 years at GS1 US, where she led the Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative, collaborating with key industry players to establish a foundation for traceability and supply chain visibility. Her career also includes roles at Coors Brewing Company, where she gained expertise in foodservice and CPG supply chains.

News and Resources

News

USDA Considering More Changes to Listeria Rule, RTE Sampling After Boar's Head Outbreak Review [4:44]

FDA Publishes Long-Term Strategy to Increase Resiliency of U.S. Infant Formula Market [15:45]

FDA Releases New Guidance on Food Labeling Regulations, Low-Moisture RTE Food Safety [20:14]

FDA Finalizes Action Levels for Lead in Processed, Packaged Food for Babies and Young Children [21:39]

Study: Canadian Rule for Frozen, Breaded Chicken Products Slashed Salmonella Illnesses by 23 Percent [22:58]

FDA Bans Red Dye 3 in Food [27:06]

Resources

GS1 US on LinkedIn 

GS1 US FSMA 204 Resource Hub 

Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC) Case Study on Inventory Management 

IPC Case Study on End-to-End Traceability

Presenting Sponsor:

Check out Trustwell's Guide to FSMA 204 Compliance! 

We Want to Hear from You!
Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com