It may feel like there is plenty of time to ensure full compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204, but January 20, 2026 can creep up quickly when you’re busy with all the other aspects of your business. Have you been putting off finalizing your traceability plan, thinking you still have plenty of time? Is your business managing the bare minimum in compliance while working to gain a competitive advantage?
While ensuring full compliance helps to prevent unnecessary fines and the loss of important contracts, getting your barcode labeling and traceability plan ready before the deadline can put you in front of the competition while enhancing food quality and safety for consumers. In this second installment of a two-part series on the FSMA 204, Imprint addresses how Zebra Technologies can help you with your traceability plan while ensuring compliance.
Have you been putting off finalizing your traceability plan, thinking you still have plenty of time? Is your business managing the bare minimum in compliance while working to gain a competitive advantage?
FSMA 204 Defined
Foodborne illness outbreaks affect 48 million people in the United States of America every year, and roughly 22% of food is wasted after production but before consumer consumption. Cases of outbreaks erode public trust and can cost businesses billions of dollars.
The traceability of foods provides essential information on the movement of products across an entire supply chain, such as where the products were grown, where they were received, where the products were transformed, temperatures of perishable items, and shipping methods.
The FDA is creating a method to help minimize outbreaks and create greater transparency in how food is grown, processed, and managed. The FSMA 204 requires the maintenance of traceability records that will include:
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- Description of procedures used to maintain records, including the format and location of records.
- Description of procedures used to identify foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) that are manufactured, processed, packed, and held.
- Description of how Traceability lot codes (further explained below) are assigned.
- Point of contact for questions about the traceability plan and records.
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When an outbreak, recall, or other public health threat occurs, these records must be converted into an electronic sortable spreadsheet that can be sent to the FDA within 24 hours of a request.
Traceability Lot Codes
When foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) are grown or raised, a farm map must be included in the Traceability Plan that shows where the food was grown or raised. The farm map must show the location and name of each field or growing area, including geographic coordinates and any other information that is needed to specifically identify the exact location. Aquaculture farms must also show the name of each container (e.g., pond, pool, tank, cage) where seafood on the FTL is raised, in addition to the exact location.
Zebra Has the Traceability Solution
While the specifics of the FSMA Rule 204 may seem overwhelming, there is a solution to simplify compliance while getting ahead of the competition. Zebra Technologies has the products you need, with trusted specialists at Imprint to help guide you on your path to compliance.
Software Solutions
Getting your records into an electronic form can be simplified, using ERP, WMS, or MMS software solutions that record information from barcodes. The software stores the information, which you can access and transfer into spreadsheets. This can provide a simple solution to the creation of electronic files that need to be sent to the FDA.
RFID Technology
RFID technology, with its data storage capabilities, can provide greater consistency, security, and operational effectiveness, while keeping up with inventorying and tracking requirements. RFID provides access to real-time data, offering insight for precise product management in a supply chain. Tracking information using RFID technology is UDI compliant and provides greater assistance during recalls, creating a more efficient process for companies.
Temperature & Humidity Labels & Sensors
Merging Zebra’s innovation with Temptime® technology, Zebra offers several options for your business to monitor environmental parameters throughout the journey of your products. From thermal transfer labels for on-demand printing with built-in temperature or humidity sensors, to thermal sensor labels for reducing the risk of damaged products with monitoring during shipping, Zebra Technologies has the solution to help provide greater visibility with:
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- Temperature
- Chemicals
- Humidity
- Moisture
- Bacteria
- UV Light
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Trusted Help from Zebra Technologies and Imprint Enterprises
Doing the bare minimum for FSMA 204 compliance can leave you susceptible to missing deadlines, losing data, receiving fines, and losing valuable customers. This is where Zebra and Imprint can help you with your traceability plan while gaining a competitive advantage.
With the latest in software solutions, RFID technology, and temperature and humidity labels and sensors, Zebra can provide you with good, better, and best options to help your business step forward with compliance while considering future possibilities and growth. Imprint is a trusted Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra and can help guide you through your options.
Contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss Zebra’s barcode labeling solutions that are best for you.
