GS1 US has published a new suite of resources to help companies address the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Rule 204, also known as the Food Traceability Final Rule. The documents are designed to help trading partners understand how they can use GS1 Standards to meet the stringent recordkeeping requirements for “high-risk” foods.
The Food Traceability Final Rule requires companies that physically handle certain foods across the supply chain to keep and sometimes share additional records that can assist in faster recalls and tracebacks during an investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak. These requirements apply to entities that manufacture, process, pack or hold foods listed on FDA’s Food Traceability List (FTL). The rule outlines specific Key Data Elements (KDEs) of Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) that need to be recorded and shared with the FDA within 24 hours upon request through a sortable, electronic spreadsheet.