The “Traceability-Ready” designation is awarded exclusively to companies who have successfully and consistently shared error-free food traceability data files. It’s an indicator of your company’s commitment to a safer, more transparent food supply chain, as well as your company’s ability to share accurate, complete traceability data that meets the unique traceability requirements of any customer.

You’re Traceability-Ready. Now what?

Now that your company is officially Traceability-Ready, you’ll want to spread the word about this important point of difference.

• Educate your internal team on what it means to be “Traceability-Ready” and what this designation means to your brand.
• Inform your retail, wholesale and foodservice customers – as well as the industry – that you’ve earned the Traceability-Ready designation and are therefore able to share traceability data that is as accurate and complete as possible…and that you have the capability of meeting the unique requirements of each of their food traceability programs.
• If the FSMA 204 final rule on food traceability applies to your company, you can also use these materials to communicate that you’re prepared to share data that meets the requirements of the regulation.

The concepts of food traceability and the FDA’s FSMA 204 final rule on food traceability might be new to people within your organization. In this section, you’ll find an email template and info sheet to help to inform and educate your internal teams.

As always, the ReposiTrak team is here to help. If you have questions or need more information on specific topics, please contact ReposiTrak at customersuccess@repositrak.com.

Use Your Traceability-Ready Badge

Start using your Traceability-Ready badge today! The ReposiTrak Traceability-Ready badge is only given to those suppliers who have successfully shared food traceability data over time, and whose data files have passed ReposiTrak’s rigorous 500+ point error detection process.

You can use your badge in many ways. Here are some examples:

• Include it in your company’s signature block for emails
• Add it to the homepage or footer of your website
• Use it in sell sheets and other types of sales and marketing materials

Email Template & Info Sheet

The easiest way to get the word out to your internal team is to send an email. We’ve prepared an email template that you can use to get started. It’s important for your internal team to understand that:

• Food traceability is a requirement of retailers and wholesalers that you do business with
• It’s also a regulatory requirement for certain foods under the FSMA 204 final rule on food traceability
• Food traceability gives you a competitive advantage, setting you apart from other suppliers who haven’t yet adopted a food traceability solution

You’ll also want to include the Food Traceability Info Sheet as an attachment to the email or make it available as a resource where your internal documents are saved.

Being Traceability-Ready is a point of difference that you’ve earned and should be proud to share with your customers, and the industry alike. It proves that you’ve already tackled traceability, which makes it easier for your customers to do the same. It’s also indicative of your commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance and supply chain transparency.

Customer Email

To spread the word to your customers, we recommend either sending a blanket email to all contacts, or having each member of your sales or buying teams reach out directly to the customers that they manage.

We’ve provided a template, but you have the option to modify it to make it work for your business. The most important points to communicate are:

• Major retailers and wholesalers have announced food traceability requirements. In addition, the FDA requires food traceability data to be shared for certain foods under the FSMA 204 law.
• Your company has taken the initiative to become Traceability-Ready with ReposiTrak and is now able to share food traceability data that is as complete and accurate as possible, and that meets the unique traceability requirements of any customer (including the customer you’re emailing!).
• Reiterate your commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance and supply chain transparency.

Being Traceability-Ready is a true point of difference. You can use our press release template and social media graphics to tell the broader industry.

Press Release for Industry Trade Publications

To spread the word to the industry and get recognized for earning this achievement, we recommend distributing a press release to industry publications. If you need help distributing your press release, contact your ReposiTrak Account Manager, we’re happy to help!

We’ve provided a template that you can customize based on your company’s brand voice.

Social Media Posts

Through Social Media Posts you can communicate to current and potential customers – and to the industry – that you’ve taken on traceability and are prepared to support any customer’s traceability program.

You can share these images and write a custom post on any of your social media channels.

For details about the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® and FSMA 204 compliance, visit repositrak.com/fda-food-traceability or contact ReposiTrak Chief Customer Officer Derek Hannum at DHannum@repositrak.com.