With growing supply chain complexity and evolving regulatory requirements, traceability is now a foundational component of effective food safety management. In this digital seminar, Why Traceability Can’t Wait: Strengthening Food Safety Culture as a Competitive Advantage, Julie McGill, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy & Insights at Trustwell, explores how modern, digital traceability programs help food companies move beyond compliance to build trust, reduce risk, and gain competitive advantage.
Sponsored by Trustwell, a leading provider of traceability and compliance solutions for the food industry, this session explores the role of accurate, connected data across the food supply chain. From recipe development through recall readiness, the discussion highlights how strong data foundations support food safety culture, operational efficiency, and brand credibility.
Why Traceability Matters Now
Traceability is rapidly shifting from an industry best practice to a regulatory mandate. With FSMA Section 204 (the Food Traceability Rule) requiring enhanced recordkeeping, faster response times, and standardized data sharing, organizations can no longer rely on fragmented systems or manual processes. Delaying traceability doesn’t reduce effort—it increases risk, recall costs, and reputational exposure.
Beyond regulation, leading retailers, manufacturers, and foodservice brands are investing now because traceability enables faster investigations, improved transparency, and stronger collaboration across the supply chain.
Key Topics Covered in the Webinar
Connecting Data from Recipe to Recall
Trustwell’s unified platform supports nutrition labeling, specification management, quality management, traceability, and recall readiness—helping organizations manage critical data in one connected system rather than across silos.
Building Trust Through Accurate, Transparent Data
Nutrition accuracy, product safety, and sustainability practices reinforce one another. When companies can confidently stand behind their data—ingredients, allergens, sourcing, and environmental impact—they strengthen trust with customers, regulators, and consumers.
Practical Applications of Digital Traceability
Digitized traceability transforms raw data into actionable insights. This digital seminar walks through an FDA investigation scenario, demonstrating how a clear traceability plan, well-defined processes, and rapid data sharing can dramatically reduce response time and disruption.
Key Data Elements (KDEs) and Critical Tracking Events (CTEs)
Julie McGill breaks down what data must be captured at each stage of the supply chain, including harvesting, receiving, transformation, shipping, and highlights the new TLC Source requirement, which identifies where a lot code was assigned.
Global Alignment and Standards
Harmonizing traceability programs with global regulations and industry standards including FSMA, GS1, Codex Alimentarius, and SQF, ensures interoperability, audit readiness, and efficient data exchange across international supply chains.
Key Takeaways
Traceability is a team effort that depends on collaboration across suppliers, processors, distributors, and retailers to ensure accurate, timely data throughout the supply chain. When supported by digital traceability systems, organizations can reduce risk, accelerate investigations, and strengthen overall food safety culture. Many early adopters are already using traceability data to improve operational efficiency, increase visibility, and build trust with customers and partners. Preparing now enables companies to meet evolving regulatory mandates and customer expectations with greater confidence and resilience.
Additional Resources
For more information on traceability, here are some additional resources:
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