Traceability helps a cold store explain who supplied a lot and who received it. Records from a warehouse management system (WMS) can support export-customer assessments. Before offering the service, agree the product, destination market and information the trading partner needs. Having software does not by itself establish complete compliance.
1. Check the market and product scope
In 2026, the U.S. FDA issued further guidance on its Food Traceability Rule, covering activities such as receiving, shipping and transformation for foods within scope.
Check applicability
The exporter and responsible specialists should determine covered foods and activities, exemptions and customer requirements.
Separate enforcement from customer timing
At the review date, FDA states it will not enforce the rule before July 20, 2028, following a Congressional directive. Confirm trading partners’ own preparation schedules separately.
2. Agree the information accompanying movements
Define lot, owner, sender, recipient, event, date, quantity and reference documents against the confirmed requirements.
Retain handling relationships
When pallets are split or combined, each lot must remain linked to its receipt and subsequent shipment.
Use shared meanings
Agree file format, units, timestamps and responsibility for corrections with trading partners before building system connections.
3. Trace one sample lot across businesses
Choose a lot with receipt, partial withdrawal and shipment, then check whether the evidence answers the customer’s questions.
Measure gaps
Record retrieval time, unmatched entries and missing documents. A large file count is not proof of readiness.
Define the service from the result
Agree warehouse responsibilities, response times and additional interfaces. The trial supports a proposal but cannot guarantee sales or certification.
Frequently asked questions
What should an export-customer discussion start with?
Request the customer’s actual product and data requirements plus a sample tracing request. Confirm market scope with responsible specialists and compare it with existing receipt and handover records.
Does WMS Cold Chain certify FSMA compliance?
No. It organizes warehouse data within an agreed project scope. Requirements and operating practices must be assessed with the business’s responsible specialists.
Explore WMS Cold Chain lot and handover records
Bring the export customer’s data specification and a sample lot to assess source information, exchange formats and any additional development required.
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References
- FDA: Actions related to Food Traceability Rule
- FDA: Food Traceability Rule current status
- GS1 Global Traceability Standard
- DigitechX: WMS Cold Chain
Information and sources reviewed: 9 October 2026