Every year, 1 in 6 Americans gets sick from contaminated food (CDC) — and since August 1, 2025, Walmart and Sam's Club require traceability on food and beverages. ASN, labeling, or data errors turn into chargebacks and erode margin today, not in 2028.
The rule requires documented traceability procedures — lot codes, KDEs, and CTEs defined before FDA asks.
When FDA requests records, you must produce them fast — in a sortable electronic spreadsheet, within 24 hours.
Every traceability record must be kept for two years from the date it was created.
Traceability failures don't show up as fines first. They show up as rejected loads, relabeling, and deductions from your biggest customer.
The advance ship notice must match the order, the product, and the physical movement. Mismatches trigger receiving holds.
Key Data Elements (KDEs) must stay attached to the lot through every Critical Tracking Event (CTE) — from origin to destination.
GS1-128, SSCC, and printed data must be legible, consistent, and scannable at receiving — or the load doesn't move.
Fontán tests the full chain — data, operations, packaging, and the customer connection — and turns gaps into a prioritized path. Start with evidence, before committing capital to systems or integrations.
Protect margin and business continuity. A concrete assessment before larger commitments.
More than one site or supplier? That's a program — scoped and quoted separately.
Request the auditEspecially teams selling into large U.S. retail chains, where the customer's requirements arrive before the federal deadline.
Thirty minutes to see if the audit fits your operation.
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