2 replies to this topic

[knc25]

We are a small meat processing facility. Currently we are not included in the list for FSMA 204 that will be in effect 2026. Some of our retail chains are still requiring the traceability. From what I can understand this is mostly going to be in the ASN's that are sent once the product leaves our facility. Currently we have traceability for all items we receive, raw product, ingredients, packaging materials, anything that is a food contact, it's tracked. But, it is on paper. We recently did a demo with a company for their software.. and we also have a programmer that has designed the software we currently use in our process but it is not from start to finish as it is older than this FSMA requirement. Ultimately the question is, is everyone keeping things on paper still throughout this new traceability journey? Is there just a wonderful software or company out there with a program? All of our documentation is scanned, and stored on our server. Is everyone just storing certain information that is needed for traceability? Ultimately, being the little guys we aren't on the same page with larger scale companies so we are trying to figure out our best route to take. We produce around 2 million pounds a year. 

Edited by knc25, 23 January 2025 - 08:37 PM.

[jfrey123]

One of our businesses is almost 100% finished products in Rule 204.  We're still struggling to figure out how to handle it, knowing our suppliers are giving us items not on the list (so not likely to help us comply).  In another business we have two meat facilities: one can be exempted due to being USDA, the other is a fish plant that's claiming exemptions on finished goods due to a kill step being applied.  So far, the customers for those two sites have accepted we are exempting those sites, but if they start demanding it for all goods (which I really the major retailers are going to do) then it's going to be a pain.

 

Keep up on the news though.  If the Farm bill in Congress passes as is, it bars the FDA from enforcing Rule 204 for like 2 more years until they go back to the drawing board with a few studies.

[knc25]

We are a USDA inspected establishment as well. I did not know there was an exemption for this! Thankfully the system we have in place for Walmart we are in compliance for all of their requirements other than a sell by date on our BOLs, which will not be a major thing to tackle. Other customers are also enforcing it for their suppliers no matter if it pertains to us or not, which is fine. It's just trying to find a system to streamline all the data through makes this difficult. It's much easier on paper. 

 

I really appreciate the feedback! I will definitely keep an eye on the Farm Bill!