Produce Distributors Association hosting FSMA 204 compliance webinar
The Produce Distributors Association invites members and non-members to participate in a free webinar exploring a new Food and Drug Administration traceability rule that takes effect in January 2026.
The FDA’s Food Traceability Final Rule establishes recordkeeping requirements beyond existing regulations and will implement Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act, commonly known as FSMA 204. Persons who manufacture, process, pack or hold foods included on the Food Traceability List (FTL) must maintain records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs) associated with Critical Tracking Events (CTEs).
The goal is to more quickly identify and remove potentially contaminated food from the market.
“Will Your Company be Compliant-Ready in Time for FSMA 204?” is free and will take place online Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. till noon. Registration is available online.
“As important conduits between shippers, retailers, and end-users, produce distributors are often faced with the unique challenges of keeping product flowing even when food safety outbreaks arise,” Matthew D’Arrigo, third-generation wholesaler and president of Bronx-based D’Arrigo New York and PDA board chair, said in a news release. “Our ability to trace produce from both sides of the supply chain is paramount, and with FSMA 204 eventually mandating traceability throughout the full spectrum, the Produce Distributors Association stands as the only organization to assist fellow distributors in this area.”
The webinar will be moderated by Alan Siger, PDA president, and will include guest speakers Jennifer McEntire, founder of Food Safety Strategy and an expert in FSMA, traceability, and food safety regulations, and Dave Donat, principal with DRD Produce Consulting. Donat previously served as president and chief technologist of a leading enterprise resource planning platform specifically designed for fresh produce distributors.
Webinar topics will include:
- Why does the traceability rule exist?
- What does the rule require from distributors?
- How will the rule impact operations and business processes?
- What changes or enhancements will be needed for a distributor’s information/technology systems?
- What are the chances the compliance date will change?
- Is compliance possible if a company hasn’t started on it yet?
