Produce Distributors emphasizes preparation is key for FSMA 204 compliance by 2026

During a recent webinar hosted by the Produce Distributors Association (PDA), food safety experts highlighted the importance of having a food traceability plan in place ahead of the January 2026 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 deadline.

The session, held on Sept. 24 and led by Alan Siger, president for PDA, focused on dispelling myths and clarifying the requirements of the FSMA Food Traceability Final Rule.

Jennifer McEntire, founder of Food Safety Strategy, and Dave Donat, principal at DRD Produce Consulting, emphasized the need for produce distributors to comply with the new traceability requirements, which mandate the tracking of Key Data Elements (KDE) and Critical Tracking Events (CTE).

The FDA will require distributors to provide traceability data within 24 hours of a request, though routine enforcement will not begin until 2027.

“This is a big deal,” said Donat, who has worked with enterprise resource planning software in the industry for decades. “It’s the law, and your customers are already asking about FSMA compliance. What’s being asked here is doable if you go in with the right mentality.”

FSMA 204(d) applies to those who handle foods on the FDA’s Food Traceability List, which includes items such as fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, leafy greens, and fresh-cut produce. McEntire noted that while there’s still time to implement changes, distributors should be proactive in preparing for compliance.

“If the FDA requests information, companies need to provide an electronic, sortable spreadsheet with key data within about 24 hours,” McEntire said. She urged distributors to create detailed and organized plans to avoid disruptions during potential recalls or contamination events.

The webinar also addressed common challenges, including missing data and inconsistent product naming. Donat stressed the importance of data collection, lot code management, and tracking product movement throughout the supply chain to ensure compliance.

The PDA, which offers resources to help distributors navigate FSMA regulations, will hold its annual meeting at the New York Produce Show and Conference on Dec. 10.

For more information, visit the PDA website at producedistributorsassociation.org.