Sysco Corporation has unveiled its comprehensive new plan to support compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Food Traceability Final Rule, also known as Section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The Food Traceability Final Rule mandates businesses to establish a traceability recordkeeping system for certain foods to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially harmful products from the market. Effective summer of 2024, Sysco will begin to implement advanced traceability measures to ensure its food products' safety, quality, and transparency from farm to table.

Sysco will partner with iFoodDS to leverage its traceability, food safety and quality management solutions. The collaboration will give Sysco's extensive supplier network flexible, interoperable, and pragmatic options for data-sharing required by FSMA 204. Additionally, Sysco will work closely with its vast network of suppliers to implement traceability practices by providing education and guidance to align supplier processes with Sysco's traceability standards, a joint effort with iFoodDS.

The company intends to use state-of-the-art digital technologies to streamline product tracking through every stage of the supply chain to provide real-time visibility and ensure the integrity of traceability data. It will also support its customers with an effective solution that communicates clear and accessible information about the traceability of products.

Finally, Sysco will establish an internal task force to monitor compliance and continuously improve traceability processes. This team will ensure that Sysco remains at the forefront of food safety and regulatory adherence.