Food safety regulations have never been stricter. The FSMA Final Rule on Food Traceability (Section 204(d)) requires food manufacturers and distributors to track high-risk foods with real-time, verifiable records. Every lot code, shipment, and product label must be accurate and accessible within 24 hours upon FDA request. The deadline for compliance is fast approaching - January 2026.
But for many companies, manual tracking methods and labeling errors create major compliance risks. Mislabeling, missing lot codes, and incorrect expiration dates can lead to product recalls, regulatory fines, and food safety issues.
To meet FSMA traceability requirements, businesses must move beyond basic tracking and implement automated verification systems—ensuring that every label is correct, every product is traceable, and every recall is executed quickly.
The FSMA Compliance Challenge: More Than Just Tracking
The FSMA Final Rule on Food Traceability applies to businesses handling foods on the FDA’s Food Traceability List (FTL), such as:
- Fruits & Vegetables (leafy greens, tomatoes, melons)
- Dairy & Eggs (shell eggs, soft cheeses)
- Seafood (finfish, crustaceans, ready-to-eat products)
- Nut Butters & Fresh-Cut Produce
To comply, businesses must:
✅ Track and store Key Data Elements (KDEs) at Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) (e.g., processing, labeling, shipping, receiving).
✅ Ensure label accuracy, including lot codes and expiration dates.
✅ Retrieve and submit digital traceability records within 24 hours upon FDA request.
✅ Verify that every product meets labeling and packaging compliance standards.
Companies relying on manual inspections and spreadsheets face increased risk of labeling errors, misidentifications, and non-compliance.
How RFID, Machine Vision, and Fixed Industrial Scanners Ensure FSMA Compliance
1️⃣ Automated Label Verification with Machine Vision
- Machine Vision (MV) cameras inspect food labels in real time to detect missing lot codes, incorrect expiration dates, and barcode readability issues.
- This ensures that every product leaving a facility is properly labeled and FSMA-compliant.
2️⃣ RFID & Fixed Industrial Scanners for Real-Time Traceability
- RFID tags automatically track food shipments at receiving, processing, and distribution stages.
- Fixed Industrial Scanners (FIS) capture barcode and RFID data to confirm shipments and prevent misidentifications.
3️⃣ Faster, More Accurate Recalls
- FSMA requires businesses to retrieve traceability records within 24 hours.
- RFID and barcode tracking instantly identify affected shipments, preventing unnecessary product waste.
4️⃣ Seamless Integration with WMS & ERP Systems
- RFID and MV data integrate with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms.
- This eliminates manual recordkeeping and ensures all compliance data is digitally stored and accessible in real-time.
Why Work with AbeTech?
AbeTech provides FSMA-compliant traceability solutions that integrate:
🔹 Machine Vision for label verification and automated quality control.
🔹 RFID tracking for real-time supply chain traceability.
🔹 Fixed Industrial Scanners for automated barcode validation.
🔹 Seamless data integration with existing compliance systems.
With end-to-end automation, businesses can eliminate human errors, speed up compliance audits, and ensure food safety regulations are met.
Ensure FSMA Compliance with Automated Traceability
FSMA Section 204(d) is now in effect. Are your labeling and traceability systems accurate, automated, and audit-ready?
🔗 Contact AbeTech today to integrate Machine Vision, RFID, and Fixed Industrial Scanners for FSMA compliance.
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