What foodservice operators need to know about FSMA 204

The new FDA food traceability and reporting requirement

New FDA food traceability rules are now in effect. As a foodservice operator, knowing the rules, what they mean for your business and how you’ll need to respond will help you prepare. While the new rule has gone into effect as of January 2023, compliance is not required until January 2026.

Food traceability is the ability to track food products from their source to the consumer and is a critical aspect of food safety. Traceability is especially important as it ensures the safety, quality, and authenticity of the food being served to customers. Entegra’s Vice President of Customer Supply Resources Aaron LaMotte provides the context and next steps you’ll need in this month's Q&A.

What is FSMA 204?

Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act establishes traceability recordkeeping requirements, beyond those in existing regulations, for companies that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods included on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

The new requirements identified in the final rule will allow for faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and/or deaths.

What will foodservices operators have to do to comply with FSMA 204?

Companies must establish and maintain a traceability plan that includes:

1. Maintenance of records for 24 months, including format and location
2. Procedures to identify foods on the Food Traceability List
3. Traceability lot codes (if applicable)
4. Point of contact for your traceability plan and records
5. Areas where food is grown or raised (other than eggs, if they’re on the Food Traceability List)

Additionally, when the FDA requests data, businesses all along the food chain must supply traceability measure within 24 hours of the request. So, proper planning is essential to ensuring that you can meet these new requirements.

Who is impacted by the new traceability regulations?

The FDA expects every business, from farm to table, to comply with its traceability recordkeeping requirements.

How can a GPO help prepare foodservice operators to meet their regulatory obligations under FSMA 204?

At Entegra, we will continue to advise and educate foodservice operators in the industries we serve: restaurants, lodging, senior living, golf and leisure and more.

Companies are at risk if they don’t understand their role and approach to capturing and sharing enhanced traceability data for foods on the traceability list. As the deadline for compliance nears, Entegra will continue to update foodservice operators so they can be prepared. We’ll also keep you advised as to how we may assist you with data reporting tools and solutions.

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