The clock is ticking for fresh produce companies to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204.
With the Food and Drug Administration’s enforcement deadline set for Jan. 20, 2026, businesses handling high-risk foods — including many fresh produce items — must ensure they have robust traceability systems in place.
FSMA 204 mandates the comprehensive tracking of foods listed on the Food Traceability List. Companies must meticulously document key data elements for critical tracking events such as harvesting, cooling, initial packing, shipping and receiving. Additionally, firms are required to provide this information to the FDA within 24 hours upon request.
“With FSMA 204 set to change how the fresh produce industry handles traceability, now is the time for businesses to act,” Lon Gretillat, vice president of sales for Fusionware, said in a news release. “Fusionware is committed to providing produce operations with a seamless, automated solution that ensures compliance and enhances efficiency, reduces waste and strengthens supply chain visibility.”
Fusionware says its platform provides real-time automated traceability and lot tracking, capturing and connecting lot codes, harvest locations, supplier details and shipment records. This ensures end-to-end visibility across the supply chain, reducing the risk of missing or inaccurate data, the release said. By automatically recording all required KDEs for CTEs, Fusionware minimizes manual data entry, helping companies maintain compliance without disrupting daily operations, the company says.
In addition to traceability, Fusionware says it enhances real-time inventory and recall readiness, allowing companies to immediately access traceability records and meet the 24-hour response requirement for FDA inquiries or recalls. The system also supports GS1-compliant labeling and retail integration, generating FSMA-compliant PTI, GTIN, and SSCC labels to meet the requirements of major retailers such as Walmart and Costco, the release said. With a user-friendly, mobile-accessible interface, Fusionware says it enables teams to track, scan and manage traceability data from anywhere, whether in the field, at a packing facility or in transit.
Noncompliance could result in FDA enforcement actions, recalls and supply chain disruptions, as well as the loss of key retail partnerships and damage to brand reputation and consumer trust, Fusionware says.
“With FSMA 204 set to transform traceability requirements in the fresh produce industry, companies must act now to implement compliant solutions,” Gretillat said. “Fusionware is dedicated to providing an automated, scalable platform that ensures compliance and enhances operational efficiency and traceability.”
Fusionware provides a streamlined solution designed to simplify traceability, strengthen regulatory readiness, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency, the release said.
