{"id":1725,"date":"2016-08-23T19:44:29","date_gmt":"2016-08-23T23:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=1725"},"modified":"2026-02-16T05:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T10:34:39","slug":"clear-path-forward-backward-traceability-compliance-new-fsma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/clear-path-forward-backward-traceability-compliance-new-fsma\/","title":{"rendered":"The clear path forward (and backward) \u2013 traceability compliance under the new FSMA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe clear path forward (and backward) \u2013 traceability compliance under the new FSMA\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Many components of the new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Human Food (FSMA) rule take affect this year, so it\u2019s vital for food and beverage manufacturers to have practices, procedures, and technologies in place to ensure their compliance. Perhaps the most challenging elements of the FSMA are the new traceability requirements, requiring most companies to make a significant investment in tracking and documenting their supply chains. As part of our continuing series focusing on the FSMA, we take a closer look at traceability requirements, and why a business technology solution may be your single best ally in achieving and maintaining compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is product tracing, and why is it important?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In general, a product tracing (traceability) system involves documenting the production and distribution chain of products so that in the case of an outbreak or evidence of contaminated food, a product can be traced back to a common source or forward through distribution channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traceability enables government agencies and food manufacturers and distributors to take action more quickly when an outbreak of foodborne illness occurs or a contaminated product is identified. Actions may include removing a product from the marketplace, and alerting the public if a product has already been distributed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many producers, manufacturers, and retailers have traceability systems in place but they vary depending on the amount of information collected, how far forward or backwards in the supply chain the system can track, and the precision and speed with which the system can pinpoint a product\u2019s movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are we in compliance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here are just a few<\/em> of the questions you should be asking yourself to determine the level of traceability your company has for its products. These are all expectations for a food manufacturer under the new FSMA rule:<\/p>\n\n\n\n