28 Deli & Cheese Suppliers Join ReposiTrak for Food Traceability
ReposiTrak (NYSE: TRAK), recognized as the world’s largest food traceability and regulatory compliance network, announced a significant milestone with the addition of 28 new deli, cheese, and antipasti suppliers to its rapidly growing ReposiTrak Traceability Network® (RTN). The expansion demonstrates the platform’s increasing role in helping food suppliers and retailers across the globe meet stringent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food traceability requirements while also addressing the diverse compliance demands of wholesale and retail customers.
Meeting the Rising Demand for Traceability
The newly onboarded companies represent a mix of domestic and international suppliers who will now be able to exchange FDA-required Key Data Elements (KDEs) for every Critical Tracking Event (CTE) in their supply chains. This exchange is crucial to ensure that traceability data can be shared efficiently, accurately, and securely among supply chain partners. By joining the RTN, these suppliers aim to comply not only with the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204 food traceability rules but also with additional requirements established by their individual wholesale and retail partners.
Among the new additions are several high-profile organizations. For example, a New York City-based importer and manufacturer specializing in Mediterranean olives and antipasti products has joined the network at the request of a wholesale customer. Similarly, one of the world’s leading multinational dairy cooperatives headquartered in New Zealand has been invited to adopt ReposiTrak’s traceability solution to meet the needs of its global retail clients. Adding to this momentum, a Chicago-based supplier offering more than 300 deli, dairy, bakery, and meat products across the U.S. and international markets is also preparing for food traceability integration, as requested by two major wholesaler customers.
The Growing Complexity of Customer Requirements
ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO Randy Fields emphasized that food traceability requirements are not uniform across the retail and wholesale landscape. Each major food retailer or wholesaler that has rolled out a traceability program has imposed its own set of expectations.
“Each wholesaler and retailer who has announced a traceability program has a unique set of food traceability requirements,” Fields said. “Some are asking for more supply chain data in addition to the Key Data Elements required by the FDA. Others want the data delivered in specific formats, while some have imposed their own deadlines, with some as early as 2025. For suppliers, this creates a complex environment where a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work. They need a solution that can adapt and scale with their business while keeping compliance simple.”
This growing complexity has accelerated the adoption of ReposiTrak’s network. Suppliers understand that failing to meet customer-specific traceability requirements could lead to missed opportunities, strained relationships, or even lost contracts with key retail and wholesale partners.
The ReposiTrak Advantage
ReposiTrak’s Traceability Network offers a practical and scalable solution for suppliers of all sizes. Unlike many technology systems that require significant infrastructure investments, RTN requires no additional hardware or costly IT overhauls. The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing supply chain processes, reducing barriers to entry for smaller companies while also supporting the needs of large multinational corporations.
Every traceability file that enters the ReposiTrak system is subjected to a rigorous 500+ point error detection process. This ensures that data inconsistencies, missing information, or formatting issues are identified and corrected before the data is shared with wholesale, retail, or foodservice customers. In addition, ReposiTrak’s U.S.-based support team actively works with suppliers and food manufacturers to make necessary corrections, helping them provide accurate and reliable traceability information.
By maintaining such high data integrity standards, the RTN enhances trust and efficiency across the supply chain. Retailers and wholesalers receive data that is not only compliant with FDA regulations but also customized to their individual requirements, ensuring smoother collaboration with suppliers.
Supporting Industry Compliance and Food Safety
The adoption of advanced traceability solutions like RTN is not just about regulatory compliance; it also plays a vital role in strengthening food safety practices across the global supply chain. FSMA 204 mandates that companies handling high-risk foods, including deli products, cheeses, and prepared antipasti items, must maintain detailed traceability records. These records make it easier to quickly identify and remove contaminated products in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak or product recall, thereby reducing risks to public health.
For suppliers, participation in the RTN provides peace of mind. By having the right tools in place to manage KDEs and CTEs, suppliers can demonstrate compliance, protect their brand reputation, and ensure uninterrupted partnerships with key retail and wholesale customers.
Expanding Reach Across the Food Supply Chain
ReposiTrak’s expansion into the deli, cheese, and antipasti categories highlights how the network is steadily broadening its coverage across nearly every segment of the food supply chain. With thousands of suppliers and retailers already part of the RTN, the addition of 28 more companies reinforces its role as the most widely adopted traceability solution in the industry.
This momentum reflects a larger trend within the global food industry. As consumer demand for transparency continues to grow, traceability has become a competitive differentiator for brands. Shoppers increasingly want to know where their food comes from, how it was produced, and whether it meets safety and sustainability standards. Retailers and wholesalers are responding to these expectations by demanding more comprehensive data from their suppliers—expectations that the RTN is uniquely positioned to meet.
