Beyond the Food Safety Modernization Act: Aligning Compliance with GS1 Integration

28 May 2024

Each year in the US, approximately 48 million people are affected by foodborne illnesses, resulting in some 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths [1]. These figures form a significant public health burden but are largely preventable with appropriate traceability measures.

With the latest updates to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), the FDA aims to dramatically improve food safety in the US by shifting the focus to preventing foodborne illnesses by enhancing data-driven transparency and accountability within the food system.

With the final implementation deadline set for 20th January 2026, organizations have a significant opportunity to align FSMA 204 compliance with the global industry move to 2D barcodes at the point-of-sale. By integrating these two initiatives, not only will brands stand to streamline changes and avoid additional interruption, but they can extend the benefits of traceability beyond mere compliance, as Adem Kulauzovic, Director of Automation, Domino Printing Sciences, explores.

FDA Traceability Rule FSMA 204

Section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act adds traceability record-keeping requirements for businesses that manufacture, process, pack, or hold certain high-risk food products.

FSMA 204 affects any business that handling food items covered under the Food Traceability List, including:

· Cheeses

· Fresh, unprocessed eggs

· Nut butter

· Fresh fruits and vegetables

· Fish and shellfish

· Ready-to-eat deli salads

Under the legislation, non-US companies handling products for final consumption in the US will also have to follow the same traceability requirements as companies located in the US. The US currently imports roughly 15% of its overall food supply, including 32% of its fresh vegetables, 55% of its fresh fruit, and 94% of all seafood consumed yearly [2].

What does FSMA 204 stipulate?

FSMA 204 specifies the need for businesses to maintain and process data relating to Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) that reflect stages within the supply chain most at risk of incurring food safety incidents. These stages encompass everything from the initial harvesting of raw produce to the point at which a final, consumer-ready product is received for sale, for example, at a grocery store or retailer.

In tracking CTEs, businesses can more readily identify the source of contamination, food safety, or quality issues that may arise during a product’s journey from farm to fork and respond quickly and efficiently when an incident is identified.

Businesses will be mandated to keep records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs) to track CTEs effectively. While the exact information will vary from case to case, traceability lot codes will form the foundation of the proposed requirements, helping to identify foods as they move through the supply chain.

Impacted organizations will need to put systems in place to collect and share data at key points throughout their supply chains and store records for two years following the sale or distribution of a food item. All traceability information must also be made accessible to the FDA, in electronic format, where required, within 24 hours of being requested. Non-compliance can have consequences that range from civil action all the way up to criminal prosecution.

FSMA 204 officially took effect in January 2023. Affected organizations have been given a three-year window to meet the requirements, with a deadline of 20th January 2026. This extended timeline is designed to allow for thorough preparation and implementation of traceability solutions across the supply chain.

Preparing for compliance with FSMA 204

Companies can ensure that their traceability record-keeping adheres to FSMA 204 guidelines by collecting all necessary KDEs and capturing the data as part of wider coding and marking efforts.

The first step will be to identify gaps in data capture across the supply chain and work with supply chain partners to record the necessary data. Data recording will require multiple systems to communicate, so companies will need to consider coding and marking systems that allow for interconnectivity with other equipment to systematically track and record data across the supply chain.

The next step will be to ensure that the final consumer product can be tied back to the data required by the FDA using variable data printing. Companies already adding variable data onto products and packaging, such as date codes, may only need a small change to their current coding and marking setups to include batch and lot information. One suggested way this variable data element can be implemented is through a scannable 2D code, such as a QR code powered by GS1.

Aligning FSMA 204 with a move to 2D barcodes at the point-of-sale

While a scannable code is not a requirement of the FSMA 204, it offers significant opportunities to unlock additional benefits facilitated by enhanced traceability. Companies who look to incorporate FSMA traceability data within a QR code powered by GS1 can align FSMA compliance with the industry move to 2D barcodes at the retail point-of-sale.

By aligning these two initiatives, companies can avoid the risk of having to make additional changes further down the line – but the benefits extend far beyond mitigating two sets of technology integrations.

Machine-readable 2D codes are more resilient to damage or degradation through the supply chain than linear barcodes or human-readable text, making it easier for businesses to track products and help to protect consumers from the risk of foodborne illnesses – a key aim of FSMA 204. Furthermore, by including unique product data within a scannable 2D code, businesses can provide additional information to consumers, including automatic alerts when a code is scanned to advise of any potential food safety incidents or recalls which could make the food unsafe to eat.

Considerations for implementing variable data printing

To maximize the benefits of 2D codes and variable data printing, companies must ensure that the selected coding technology can match the speed and throughput of their production lines, with print quality that is high enough to produce scannable, industry-accepted 2D codes. Data accuracy is also crucial.

Businesses should partner with industry-leading coding and marking providers to ensure that their coding solutions can satisfy this need and implement code inspection systems to ensure that all 2D codes are correct and scannable at the time of printing.

A trusted variable data solutions provider should be capable of offering a complete, closed-loop code and check system and helping to make aligning FSMA 204 compliance with the global migration to 2D codes seamless.

ENDS

[1] https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma

[2] https://www.fda.gov/food/importing-food-products-united-states/fda-strategy-safety-imported-food

Disclaimers

Inks
The information contained in this document is not intended as a substitute for undertaking appropriate testing for your specific use and circumstances. Neither Domino UK Limited nor any of Domino’s group of companies is in any way liable for any reliance that you may put on this document with regards to the suitability of any ink for your particular application. This document does not form part of any terms and conditions between you and Domino, Legal Disclaimers v.1.0 February 2018 and Domino’s Terms and Conditions of sale, and in particular the warranties and liabilities contained within them, shall apply to any purchase of products by you.

General
All performance related figures and claims quoted in this document were obtained under specific conditions and may only be replicated under similar conditions. For specific product details, you should contact your Domino Sales Advisor. This document does not form part of any terms and conditions between you and Domino.

Imagery
Images may include optional extras or upgrades. Print quality may differ depending on consumables, printer, substrates, and other factors. Images and photographs do not form any part of any terms and conditions between you and Domino.

Videos
This video is illustrative only and may include optional extras. Performance figures obtained under specific conditions; individual performance may vary. Errors and downtime on production lines may be unavoidable. Nothing in this video forms part of any contract between you and Domino.

Notes to Editors:

About Domino

Since 1978, Domino Printing Sciences (Domino) has established a global reputation for the development and manufacture of coding, marking, and printing technologies, as well as its worldwide aftermarket products and customer services. Today, Domino offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of complete end-to-end coding solutions designed to satisfy the compliance and productivity requirements of manufacturers across many sectors, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial. The company’s core technologies include innovative inkjet, laser, print and apply, and thermal transfer overprinting systems designed for the application of variable data, barcodes, and unique traceability codes onto product and packaging.

Domino employs over 3,000 people worldwide and sells to more than 120 countries through a global network of 29 subsidiary offices and more than 200 distributors. Domino’s manufacturing facilities are located in China, Germany, India, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA.

Domino became an autonomous division within Brother Industries Ltd. on 11th June 2015.

For further information on Domino, please visit www.domino-printing.com or contact:

Jade Taylor-Salazar
PR and Content Manager
Domino Printing Sciences
Tel: +44 (0) 1954 778780
Jade.Taylor-Salazar@domino-uk.com

Jamie Robinson
Marketing Generalist
Domino North America
Tel: +1 636-673-3009
jamie.hinton@domino-na.com