The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has joined the Food Industry FSMA 204 Collaboration, an alliance designed to drive industry-wide awareness of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (U.S. FDA’s) Food Traceability Rule, which implements Section 204(d) of the U.S. FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). 

The goal of the Collaboration is to share clear messaging and resources to help industry take action in preparing for FSMA Rule 204, which mandates comprehensive tracking and tracing of certain high-risk foods listed on the U.S. FDA's Food Traceability List (FTL) to improve outbreak response and deeper supply chain visibility.

As food supply chains become increasingly complex, the cold chain — refrigerated storage, temperature-controlled transportation, cold chain logistics professionals, and solutions providers — plays an essential role in ensuring not only product quality and safety, but also the reliability of traceability data. The cold chain connects producers, processors, and distributors at critical junctures where data like temperature, handling, and timing must be accurately recorded and shared. 

The Food Industry FSMA 204 Collaboration brings together ten key trade associations and industry groups; including the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), The Food Industry Association (FMI), GS1 US, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the National Restaurant Association (NRA); to provide resources supporting education and guidance for FSMA Rule 204 and support the necessity of widespread compliance. GCCA’s participation brings cold-chain expertise and spotlights the cold chain’s pivotal role in end-to-end traceability and food safety

“The cold chain allows vertical food supply chains to function safely, efficiently, and competitively. GCCA’s members are well positioned at the intersection of food safety and traceability,” said Sara Stickler, president and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. “In our engagement with the Food Industry FSMA 204 Collaboration, we help ensure that the cold chain can meet regulatory requirements and elevate traceability performance.”

To advance the Collaboration’s mission, GCCA and GS1 US will host a joint webinar on May 6 for GCCA members that will provide a deep-dive on FSMA Rule 204; helping attendees navigate legal jargon, identify key challenges and share how to engage with customers to implement interoperable data standards for Key Data Elements and Critical Tracking Events to support record keeping requirements.