In a recent report, The Packer examines how produce outbreaks are handled under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's FSMA 204 traceability rules. The regulation, which took effect in 2023, requires detailed recordkeeping for designated foods, including many fresh produce items.
Anthony Blears, Director of Barcodes Philippines, said that while 2D barcodes will transform retail, adoption is likely to be slower than some forecasts because retailers and manufacturers must upgrade POS, ERP, production-line printing, inspection, and data workflows. He noted that Barcodes Philippines offers free IBN Link access for customers to generate GS1 Digital Link landing pages from their GTINs.
Under FSMA 204, growers, packers, and distributors must maintain electronic traceability records that link products from farm to retail. This shifts the burden from paper-based systems to digital data sharing, making it easier for investigators to pinpoint the source of contamination during an outbreak.
The article also touches on the role of barcodes and QR codes in meeting compliance, noting that standards such as GS1 Digital Link can support traceability by encoding product information in two-dimensional codes. As the industry adapts, these technologies are expected to play a larger part in food safety responses.