The Real Challenge Behind Traceability: Managing Data Across Growers, Shippers, and Buyers
Why Traceability Is Really About Data
For suppliers in fresh produce, managing traceability isn't just about compliance. It is about managing data. Traceability efforts require data that is clean, complete, and available at every step of the supply chain. Yet this is often the hardest part. But when products move through multiple growers, packers, and retailers, including each with their own systems and standards, keeping that data consistent becomes a real struggle.
The challenge is not just technological. It is operational. Every partner might use a different standard for what constitutes "complete" data. And when data is siloed or scattered across emails, spreadsheets, and separate platforms, traceability becomes an uphill battle.
The Complexity of Mixed Operations
Suppliers today operate across a range of production types and workflows. Some manage their own growing operations. Others coordinate with independent growers, co-packers, and third-party logistics partners. Each stage in the supply chain like growing, harvesting, cooling, and packing, may use different systems. Some are advanced. Others are manual.
This mix creates gaps in how traceability data is captured and recorded. One grower may log trace codes in a spreadsheet. Another may print PTI labels but not retain the event logs. A packer might change packaging specs on the fly. And a distributor may expect digital KDEs without delay. For suppliers trying to build a complete picture, these disconnects create both data loss and data risk.
Why FSMA 204 Raises the Stakes
Traceability regulations like FSMA 204 increase the urgency for consistent, structured data capture. Regulators now expect a full chain of custody. That means suppliers must be able to identify key data elements at every step and produce those records during an audit or in response to a recall.
But having the data is only half the battle. The real challenge is being able to reference that data quickly and accurately when it matters most. Suppliers need to answer questions like: Where did this product come from? When and where was it packed? What lot code was assigned? Without unified systems, answering those questions takes hours or even days.
The Risk of Disconnected Systems
Despite rising compliance pressure, many suppliers still rely on fragmented tools. Spreadsheets are passed between teams. Emails serve as temporary audit logs. Some teams store their records on local drives, while others track shipments in a homegrown system that does not sync with upstream partners.
These disconnected systems not only introduce risk but also increase costs. Manual data entry leads to mistakes. Recreating records during an audit takes valuable time. And when a traceability event requires immediate response, every minute counts.
"Depending on what you're producing, that can all be a little bit different. Looking for systems that can match your operation is probably, I think, a challenge for some companies."
— Jason Varni, Sr. Solutions Director, iTradeNetwork
How Unified Data Makes Traceability Work
The most successful suppliers are those who bring together their data across all production points and trading partners. This does not require replacing every existing system. It means integrating those systems into a single source of truth where key data elements can be captured, verified, and reported consistently.
With unified data, suppliers can:
- Track product flow in real time
- Respond to buyer audits without delay
- Minimize risk during recalls
- Improve quality oversight across the supply chain
Traceability becomes manageable, not just mandated. And when systems work together, teams can focus on moving product, not chasing information.
Conclusion: Making Data Work for You
Traceability is no longer optional. It is foundational to trust, compliance, and operational excellence. But traceability only works when data is clean, consistent, and connected.
The solution is not more systems. It is smarter systems that work together. By bringing traceability data into a central platform, suppliers can simplify compliance, reduce manual effort, and build stronger relationships with their buyers.
Managing data across growers, shippers, and buyers is not easy. But with the right approach, it is possible and profitable.
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The Real Challenge Behind Traceability: Managing Data Across Growers, Shippers, and Buyers
Why Traceability Is Really About Data
For suppliers in fresh produce, managing traceability isn't just about compliance. It is about managing data. Traceability efforts require data that is clean, complete, and available at every step of the supply chain. Yet this is often the hardest part. But when products move through multiple growers, packers, and retailers, including each with their own systems and standards, keeping that data consistent becomes a real struggle.
The challenge is not just technological. It is operational. Every partner might use a different standard for what constitutes "complete" data. And when data is siloed or scattered across emails, spreadsheets, and separate platforms, traceability becomes an uphill battle.
The Complexity of Mixed Operations
Suppliers today operate across a range of production types and workflows. Some manage their own growing operations. Others coordinate with independent growers, co-packers, and third-party logistics partners. Each stage in the supply chain like growing, harvesting, cooling, and packing, may use different systems. Some are advanced. Others are manual.
This mix creates gaps in how traceability data is captured and recorded. One grower may log trace codes in a spreadsheet. Another may print PTI labels but not retain the event logs. A packer might change packaging specs on the fly. And a distributor may expect digital KDEs without delay. For suppliers trying to build a complete picture, these disconnects create both data loss and data risk.
Why FSMA 204 Raises the Stakes
Traceability regulations like FSMA 204 increase the urgency for consistent, structured data capture. Regulators now expect a full chain of custody. That means suppliers must be able to identify key data elements at every step and produce those records during an audit or in response to a recall.
But having the data is only half the battle. The real challenge is being able to reference that data quickly and accurately when it matters most. Suppliers need to answer questions like: Where did this product come from? When and where was it packed? What lot code was assigned? Without unified systems, answering those questions takes hours or even days.
The Risk of Disconnected Systems
Despite rising compliance pressure, many suppliers still rely on fragmented tools. Spreadsheets are passed between teams. Emails serve as temporary audit logs. Some teams store their records on local drives, while others track shipments in a homegrown system that does not sync with upstream partners.
These disconnected systems not only introduce risk but also increase costs. Manual data entry leads to mistakes. Recreating records during an audit takes valuable time. And when a traceability event requires immediate response, every minute counts.
"Depending on what you're producing, that can all be a little bit different. Looking for systems that can match your operation is probably, I think, a challenge for some companies."
— Jason Varni, Sr. Solutions Director, iTradeNetwork
How Unified Data Makes Traceability Work
The most successful suppliers are those who bring together their data across all production points and trading partners. This does not require replacing every existing system. It means integrating those systems into a single source of truth where key data elements can be captured, verified, and reported consistently.
With unified data, suppliers can:
- Track product flow in real time
- Respond to buyer audits without delay
- Minimize risk during recalls
- Improve quality oversight across the supply chain
Traceability becomes manageable, not just mandated. And when systems work together, teams can focus on moving product, not chasing information.
Conclusion: Making Data Work for You
Traceability is no longer optional. It is foundational to trust, compliance, and operational excellence. But traceability only works when data is clean, consistent, and connected.
The solution is not more systems. It is smarter systems that work together. By bringing traceability data into a central platform, suppliers can simplify compliance, reduce manual effort, and build stronger relationships with their buyers.
Managing data across growers, shippers, and buyers is not easy. But with the right approach, it is possible and profitable.
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