Movista’s FSMA 204 Report: A Roadmap for Grocery Teams
As the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 draws near, grocery teams are gearing up to meet the stringent new traceability requirements. Movista has released a comprehensive report highlighting key takeaways for retailers to ensure compliance by the 2026 deadline, promising a safer and more transparent food supply chain.
The report emphasizes the need for grocery teams to understand the critical tracking events (CTEs) and key data elements (KDEs) crucial for FSMA 204 compliance. CTEs include shipping, receiving, and transformation events, while KDEs involve specific data points like lot codes, quantity, and transporter details.
For natural food retailers, standardizing traceability efforts can be particularly challenging due to diverse product lines and supplier methods. However, starting early and developing a detailed traceability plan are paramount to staying ahead of the compliance curve.
Retailers can choose from various implementation methods, including manual spreadsheet-based tracking, traceability software, or leveraging electronic data interchange (EDI) systems. To ease the process, partnering with experienced providers like SPS Commerce can help tailor solutions to specific business needs.
Time is of the essence, and procrastination can jeopardize compliance. Grocery teams must take proactive steps now to ensure they are prepared for the 2026 deadline. By embracing the new regulations, they can contribute to a safer and more transparent food supply chain for consumers.
- FSMA 204 compliance requires detailed recordkeeping for foods on the Food Traceability List.
- Critical tracking events include shipping, receiving, and transformation events.
- Key data elements include lot codes, quantity, and transporter details.
- Retailers can implement traceability methods manually, using software, or through EDI systems.
- Partnerships with experienced providers can help simplify the compliance process.