PTI Advances Traceability
The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) is helping the industry take another big step forward on the road to FSMA 204 compliance. PTI recently announced Tim Graas of Associated Wholesale Grocers as its new Leadership Council Co-Chair, joining Steve Roosdahl of The Oppenheimer Group. Together, they’ll guide the council in shaping best practices and providing tools to prepare the industry for the updated FSMA 204 compliance date of July 20, 2028.
Alongside this leadership update, PTI has introduced a valuable new tool: the FSMA 204 & SFCR Comparison Guide. This quick reference resource makes it easier for companies working across the U.S. and Canada to understand the requirements of both FSMA 204 and Canada’s Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).
Traceability is a global effort, and both the U.S. FSMA 204 rule and Canada’s SFCR show how our industry is moving in the same direction—toward greater transparency and faster access to critical data. While the details vary, both frameworks share the same goal: protecting consumers and strengthening trust in our food supply.
At a high level, the two regulations overlap on core requirements like lot codes, product identification, shipment dates, and two-year record retention. FSMA 204 goes deeper into upstream data, requiring traceability plans and packer records, while SFCR focuses more on the downstream side, such as consumer-facing pre-pack labels. Importantly, both expect that information can be shared with regulators within 24 hours.
Together, these developments underscore PTI’s role as a convener for the industry—bringing leaders, resources, and best practices into one place. By combining clear guidance with cross-border collaboration, we’re moving closer to a future where interoperable, reliable systems make traceability stronger, compliance simpler, and trust in the global food supply chain even greater.
Written by Johnna Hepner
Johnna Hepner brings over 30 years of experience driving innovation in food safety and supply chain systems. She has held leadership roles at the Produce Marketing Association, Markon Cooperative, and iFoodDS, where she championed initiatives to enhance food safety, improve supply chain transparency, and advance digital adoption in the produce industry.
