US grocery wholesaler Save A Lot deploys ReposiTrak technology for FSMA 204 food traceability push

Save A Lot, a US discount grocery wholesaler serving approximately 750 independently owned grocery stores in 32 states, has announced the roll-out of the ReposiTrak Traceability Network (RTN) for automated traceability and compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernisation Act Section 204 (FSMA 204).

RTN will enable Save A Lot suppliers to easily transmit FDA required traceability data for every impacted lot code, every time a shipment is sent to one of Save A Lot’s eight distribution centres.

“We recognised the importance of FSMA 204 to the industry and we were looking for an easy-to-use and affordable solution that works across our total supply chain, from our suppliers all the way through to the independent owners who operate Save A Lot stores,” says Save A Lot Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer Trey Johnson.

“Traceability is not only an FDA requirement, it’s also part of our ongoing commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance and transparency in our supply chain. After evaluating multiple solutions we are happy to offer our retail partners ReposiTrak’s efficient and affordable path to compliance.”

FSMA 204, enacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed to prevent foodborne illnesses by strengthening the ability to track and trace food through all stages of the supply chain through the exchange of Key Data Elements (KDEs) among trading partners.

RTN enables KDEs to be collected, organised, stored and retrieved in order to meet the requirements of FSMA 204. Compliance with FSMA 204 will be mandatory starting in 2026, and Save A Lot says it wants to ahead of the curve.

“FSMA 204 presents more than a data management problem for wholesalers. It also presents a supplier management problem. ReposiTrak helps with both,” says ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO Randy Fields.

“It’s important for suppliers and wholesalers to understand that not all of the FDA required Key Data Elements can be contained on a label. Instead, those KDEs need to be transmitted electronically with every shipment. In order to transmit that data, a connection needs to be established between the wholesaler and each supplier. ReposiTrak does this work for wholesalers and gets the data flowing.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Supply chain technology is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which is now open for entries.

The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.