USA – Eight leading food industry organizations have united to form the Food Industry FSMA 204 Collaboration to help share clear, concise messaging and resources to enhance industry-wide awareness for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204.
The group includes the Association of Food and Drug Officials; FMI, The Food Industry Association; GS1 US; the Institute of Food Technologists; the International Foodservice Distributors Association.
It also extends to the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association; the International Fresh Produce Association; and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, according to a news release.
Businesses have until Jan. 20, 2026, to become fully compliant with the rule. Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain for IFPA said the new collaboration will ensure that the resources created and education offered to our collective members are coordinated and aligned.
“Food safety is the single most important issue that food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers focus on every day,” said Leslie Sarasin, FMI president and CEO.
“FDA’s FSMA Rule 204 is the most significant regulation the food industry has ever faced and will demand tremendous investments for record-keeping, data management and systems changes. This collaboration demonstrates our collective commitment to sharing information and working together to ensure the food supply chain has the resources and clarity it needs for compliance.”
The organizations said the Food Industry FSMA 204 Collaboration will provide a forum where business and government officials educate businesses and potentially help ease the burden of compliance.
The initiative will promote awareness and understanding of emerging traceability technologies to help ensure the safety and integrity of the food supply chain, the release said.
“Compliance with FSMA Rule 204 presents a significant challenge for U.S. and foreign agri-food interests, as it imposes unprecedented record-keeping requirements and necessitates the adoption of advanced traceability technologies,” said Angela Fernandez, senior vice president of market development for GS1 US.
The Produce Traceability Initiative, sponsored by Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), GS1 US, GS1 Canada, and International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), is designed to help the fresh produce industry to maximize the effectiveness of current traceback procedures.
It also helps in developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of traceability systems for the future.
The PTI’s bold vision outlines a course of action to achieve supply chain-wide adoption of electronic traceability of every case of produce.