ReposiTrak, a food traceability and regulatory compliance network, has introduced a ‘Touchless Traceability’ solution, designed specifically for distribution centers (DCs).

ReposiTrak’s traceability solution for DCs addresses a longstanding operational challenge: the ability to easily capture and share lot codes and related shipping data for all items shipped to customers. The solution enables retailers and wholesalers operating DCs to meet regulatory and customer-driven traceability requirements with no added labor, no label scanning and no need for an expensive overhaul of existing Warehouse Management System (WMS) platforms.

The DC plays a critical role in the food traceability process, where data from suppliers must be captured and combined with shipping data when products leave the DC.

In the past, this would have required extra steps like scanning at the DC, store or restaurant; it may have also required expensive changes to warehouse or picking systems.

ReposiTrak’s new ‘Touchless Traceability’ solution removes the need for scanning or WMS upgrades, instead using data, algorithms and AI to create the accurate and complete traceability data records required by retailers and by the FDA.

ReposiTrak is a food traceability and regulatory compliance network.

Most DCs do not scan cases of outbound shipments

Case- or item-level scanning at the DC would dramatically increase labor, decrease thru-put and would also introduce new risks.

Scanning at the store or restaurant level to confirm lot codes shipped and received would pose additional challenges, especially in operations where deliveries are large or if deliveries occur during off-hours. ReposiTrak’s solution eliminates the need for scanning by automatically linking existing supplier data to data from the DC’s systems.

Many WMS platforms were not built to store the traceability data demanded by retailers

At a minimum, major retailers are requiring suppliers and DCs to provide the Key Data Elements (KDEs) outlined under the FDA’s FSMA 204 final rule on food traceability – particularly the Traceability Lot Code (TLC) and the TLC Source. Most WMS platforms are not equipped to take in and store the TLC and/or the TLC Source.

ReposiTrak fills this significant gap in data capture by storing and managing the necessary traceability data in a secure, cloud-based repository with easy searchability.

ReposiTrak’s traceability solution for DCs addresses a longstanding operational challenge: the ability to easily capture and share lot codes and related shipping data for all items shipped to customers.

Data accuracy is critical

ReposiTrak reports that 40% of the traceability files it initially receives from suppliers contain errors, such as mis-keyed identifiers, missing fields or incomplete shipment files.

These issues can undermine the reliability of the entire traceability chain, introducing contaminated data into the process.

To address this, ReposiTrak puts every traceability data file through a rigorous 500+ point error detection and correction process that ensures data accuracy before it enters the distributor’s records. Once the data has been validated and merged, traceability records are created for DC receiving, DC shipping and store receiving — with no manual human intervention.

“Our approach couples data from the distributor or wholesaler’s existing systems and data from their suppliers to create full, accurate food traceability records,” said ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO Randy Fields.

“It’s the simplest way to get traceability done — without adding new hardware or extra work for your DC team.”

This approach enables DCs to meet the requirements of the FDA’s FSMA 204 food traceability rule — along with similar requirements from major retailers — without altering existing warehouse processes.