Frankie Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed rule to facilitate traceability for high-risk foods.  The proposed Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for certain foods follows Section 204 (d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act.  It is intended to finalize the rule in November 2022 and will mandate that manufacturers, processors, packers and distributors record what are referred to as Key Data Elements relating to the supply chain. The proposed rule would require each product to be allocated a unique identifier and lot code through the supply chain.  Data will have to be maintained for two years and should be retrievable within 24 hours following a request by FDA in an investigation of a foodborne outbreak.

The rule presumes introduction of block chain monitoring with electronic traceability and it is self-evident that supply chains must be digitized.

A pilot study on seafood demonstrated the effectiveness of a comprehensive system that was based on contributions from the Institute of Food Technologist, various seafood processors,     FoodLogiQ, IBM Food Trust, SAP, Walmart and others.  The pilot study validated block chain used in conjunction with complimentary technologies for traceback.

Companies dealing with foods on the FDA Food Traceability List should develop programs to meet the requirements of the proposed Rule.  It is intended that the Rule will take effect two years after adoption late in 2022.