Certco Readies Distribution Centers, Suppliers for Food Traceability
Certco, a distributor serving over 200 independent grocery stores in the Midwest, has adopted the ReposiTrak Traceability Network to automate food traceability. This move is in response to the FDA's FSMA 204 regulation, which demands comprehensive traceability data for various food items. Certco's integration with ReposiTrak will streamline the collection and sharing of Key Data Elements (KDEs) for fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable products, ensuring compliance and enhancing food safety. Certco President and CEO Amy Niemetscheck highlights that the solution is both scalable and cost-effective for suppliers. The initiative aims to mitigate legal and competitive risks associated with non-compliance.
- Certco's adoption of ReposiTrak enhances food safety and transparency.
- ReposiTrak automates the collection of KDEs, making the process scalable and efficient.
- Compliance with FDA's FSMA 204 food traceability law minimizes legal risks.
- Certco's initiative supports over 200 independent grocery locations in the Midwest.
- The implementation of the traceability network may incur initial setup costs.
- Complex data requirements might pose challenges for some suppliers.
Insights
Certco's decision to adopt the ReposiTrak Traceability Network comes in response to the FDA's FSMA 204 food traceability law. This law mandates the collection and sharing of Key Data Elements (KDEs) for numerous food items to ensure comprehensive traceability, enhancing food safety and transparency. By complying with these regulations, Certco mitigates potential legal risks, such as fines or penalties if found non-compliant.
The move also offers a competitive edge, as consumers are increasingly demanding transparency in food sourcing. This proactive adoption could position Certco as a leader in food safety and trustworthiness among Midwest retailers. However, it also involves an upfront investment in technology and training, which could impact short-term financials.
Understanding FSMA 204 is essential for retailers and wholesalers. This law significantly impacts operations, requiring meticulous data management from production to retail. The complexity and cost of compliance could be daunting, but non-compliance poses even greater risks.
The integration of the ReposiTrak Traceability Network by Certco demonstrates a significant technological advancement in the area of supply chain management. This system automates the traceability process, allowing for the efficient collection and sharing of the required Key Data Elements (KDEs). Automated solutions like ReposiTrak help reduce human error, improve data accuracy and streamline compliance with stringent FDA regulations.
Beyond regulatory compliance, this technological upgrade offers long-term benefits such as enhanced operational efficiency and the ability to quickly respond to food safety incidents. By investing in cutting-edge technology, Certco not only meets legal requirements but also gains a tool that can improve overall supply chain visibility and management.
From a market perspective, Certco's move to implement the ReposiTrak Traceability Network aligns with broader industry trends towards increased transparency and traceability in food supply chains. Consumers today are more informed and more concerned about where their food comes from and how it is handled. Certco's adoption of this system can enhance its brand reputation, potentially attracting more consumers who prioritize food safety and transparency.
This strategic move can also inspire confidence among Certco's retail partners, ensuring them that the distributor is taking necessary steps to comply with regulatory demands and to safeguard public health. However, the financial burden of implementing such a sophisticated system might be translated into marginally higher costs for customers initially but could be balanced by longer-term savings and efficiencies.
Distributor to Midwest independent retailers chooses automated solution for FDA-required traceability, enhancing food safety and transparency and preparing for FSMA 204
“As a distributor, we are required to collect and store more traceability data than ever before, for every shipment of the fresh, frozen and even shelf-stable food products covered by the FDA’s food traceability law,” said Certco President and CEO Amy Niemetscheck. “We found a solution that would make the process fast, easy and affordable for our suppliers, and one that is scalable.”
Certco carries more than 60,000 SKUs through three warehouses and also provides independent retailers with a range of services from accounting and payroll, to weekly ads and marketing, and more. The list of foods that require more traceability under the FDA’s FSMA 204 law includes all varieties of fresh tomatoes and peppers, shell eggs, nut butters, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, soft cheeses and deli salads, many seafood varieties and more, which are included in Certco’s offering. As these foods change hands or change form, a compounding string of data must be transferred between trading partners to provide full, end-to-end traceability.
“There are real legal and competitive risks for wholesalers and distributors who choose not to do traceability, or who choose to do traceability in a way that doesn’t meet the FDA’s requirement,” explained ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO Randy Fields. “The most difficult part of traceability is taking the first step and starting to get your suppliers ready and able to share the data. Certco has taken that first step and we’re thrilled to be working with their suppliers to get them connected.”
The ReposiTrak Traceability Network enables the exchange and maintenance of KDEs between trading partners to meet and exceed the requirements of the FDA’s FSMA 204 food traceability law.
About ReposiTrak
ReposiTrak (NYSE: TRAK), formerly Park City Group, provides retailers, suppliers and wholesalers with a robust solution suite consisting of three product families: food traceability, compliance and risk management and supply chain solutions. ReposiTrak’s integrated, cloud-based applications are supported by an unparalleled team of experts. For more information, please visit https://repositrak.com/.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240528259582/en/
Dave Ryman
Executive Vice President
Certco, Inc.
dryman@certcoinc.com
Derek Hannum
Chief Customer Officer
ReposiTrak
dhannum@repositrak.com
Source: ReposiTrak
FAQ
What is the impact of Certco's adoption of the ReposiTrak Traceability Network?
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How does Certco's new traceability solution comply with the FDA's FSMA 204?
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What foods are covered under the new FDA FSMA 204 traceability law?
