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The Global Language of Business

Enable Traceability for Food Safety

Enable Food Traceability for Enhanced Safety

Food safety risks exist throughout the supply chain – making product and location identification critical to see where it has been and where it is going.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Rule 204 is published

GS1 Standards can help you prepare.

Start now and get the resources you need to meet the deadline of January 2026! 

Understand who in your organization to involve, what steps are needed and what resources are available with our readiness checklist.

Get More FSMA 204 Resources
FSMA 204

Benefits of Traceability

Risks to food safety exist throughout the entire supply chain, and consumers are demanding more information about their food. It’s more critical than ever to standardize the identification of products and locations to know exactly where they’re going, understand where they’ve been, and share this information effectively. This traceability prepares companies to act quickly to supply chain disruptions, like recalls, so they can minimize food waste and revenue loss.

How GS1 Standards Can Help

The first step in enabling this traceability is having visibility into your supply chain. Suppliers, distributors, trade associations, and more are collaborating with GS1 US to power greater confidence in food safety and traceability through GS1 Standards.

Supply Chain Visibility Implementation Guide

Get resource for product identification and information sharing as well as best practices for supply chain visibility.

Download the Guideline

North American Industry Implementation Guidance for Standard Case Code Labeling

Get best practices for case labeling information for finished products in the grocery and foodservice sectors related to the GS1-128 barcode.

Download the Guideline

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Traceability Guideline

Get specific guidance on sharing information between distribution channel participants.

Download the Guideline

Encoding Attribute Data in EPC / RFID Tags for Foodservice

Understand the value of encoding extended attribute data, such as Batch / Lot and Date into an RFID data carrier.

Download the Guideline

How Walmart is Leveraging GS1 Standards to Elevate Food Safety

Chuck Tilmon, Vice President of Quality Control at Walmart, shares how GS1 Standards empower Walmart to track food at every stage—from farm to shelf—ensuring quality, safety, and compliance.

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Success Stories

Case Study CKE Restaurants

Case Study CKE Restaurants

Read how CKE restaurants leveraged GS1 Standards for improved recalls and withdrawals, quality assurance and brand protection, and operational improvement.

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Ocean Mist Case Study

Ocean Mist Case Study

Read how produce grower, Ocean Mist, uses information encoded in GS1-128 barcodes to help benefit internal operations, including inventory control and sales order optimization.

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IPC / Subway Case Study

IPC / Subway Case Study

Read how IPC/Subway enhanced food safety practices with faster and more precise responses to product recalls and withdrawals by implementing GS1 Standards.

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Industry Collaboration

Learn how GS1 US is collaborating with industry and food associations to share best practices on leveraging relevant GS1 Standards throughout the food supply chain – from producer to point of consumption.

Looking for Education and Training?

Register for the GS1 Standards for Food Traceability Online Certificate Course. 

Learn how to implement case-level traceability with the use of GS1-128 barcodes and what key data elements (KDEs) need to be captured and shared at critial tracking events (CTEs). 

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GS1 Standards for Food Traceability Online Certificate Course