FoodLogiQ Q1 2025 Release: Variance Requests, Supplier Onboarding & FSMA 204

At Trustwell, we’re dedicated to empowering food companies with tools that enhance compliance, traceability, and supplier management. Our Q1 2025 release delivers several powerful enhancements that simplify supplier onboarding, improve product management, and strengthen compliance with FSMA 204 traceability rules.

From streamlining supplier user invitations to tracking raw agricultural commodity (RAC) movements, these updates help food brands stay ahead of regulatory changes and operational challenges. Here’s what’s new.

Easier Supplier Onboarding

Invite New Users with Fewer Steps

Suppliers play a critical role in food safety but getting them set up in a system can be a difficult and lengthy process, leading to delays in compliance documentation, audits, and communication. In this release, Community Owners can now directly invite supplier contacts within FoodLogiQ—removing the need for manual support requests to expand your supplier network. To receive these invitations, Supplier Admins must first set up their eligible domain name(s) (up to 10 unique domains are allowed) in their Business Information page.  

Once the domains are set up:

• No more waiting for support—Suppliers can get started sooner.
• Clear visibility into approved email domains and invitation statuses.
• Less back-and-forth, so teams can focus on compliance, not paperwork.

With faster onboarding, suppliers can update records, complete audits, and submit documents sooner—reducing delays and improving compliance across the board.

More Flexibility in Product Specifications

Food companies depend on precise product specifications to ensure quality and consistency. However, the reality of sourcing ingredients and manufacturing food products often requires controlled flexibility. That’s why we’re introducing Variance Requests, a new feature that allows both suppliers and internal teams to request approved adjustments to certain product attributes.

Here’s how it works:

• Community Owners can decide which attributes allow for variances, and which don't.
• When a supplier needs a variance, they submit a request directly in FoodLogiQ.
• Community Owners review the request, approve or reject it, and provide feedback, all within the platform.
• Once a decision is made, teams are notified automatically, keeping everyone in the loop.

This feature helps food companies adapt to supply chain realities without sacrificing compliance. It also streamlines collaboration by removing the need for endless email chains and manual approval processes. Now, requested changes are documented, trackable, and visible in real time—creating a clear, efficient process that benefits both suppliers and manufacturers.

Preparing for the FSMA 204 Compliance Deadline

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 is transforming how food companies track products through the supply chain. With the compliance deadline of January 2026 fast approaching, businesses must ensure they are ready to meet these new federal traceability requirements.

This release introduces several updates that help food companies align with FSMA 204 and improve overall traceability.

One of the biggest changes is the addition of three new Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) for raw agricultural commodities (RACs):

• Harvesting – Capturing when and where crops are picked or collected.
• Cooling – Tracking the process of cooling fresh food before transport.
• Packing – Recording when and how food is packed for shipment.

These updates ensure that FoodLogiQ users can accurately document key steps in the supply chain, meeting FSMA’s requirements for Key Data Elements (KDEs). More importantly, they help businesses react faster to potential food safety concerns, reducing the time it takes to investigate and respond to issues.

In addition, all relevant event types now support Reference Document and Document ID fields, making it easier for teams to link critical records to traceability events. This creates a stronger audit trail and ensures businesses have the documentation needed to verify compliance.

For companies working toward FSMA 204 readiness, these updates provide the tools needed to strengthen traceability, increase transparency, and build consumer trust.

A More Connected, Transparent Food Supply Chain

The food industry faces growing challenges, from shifting regulations to the demand for greater supply chain visibility. These latest enhancements to FoodLogiQ help businesses respond to supplier needs faster, manage product specifications with greater precision, and prepare for the future of traceability.

As compliance requirements continue to evolve, Trustwell remains committed to building solutions that simplify food safety, compliance, and supply chain management.

Stay Updated

Ensure your team is ready to take full advantage of these new features; speak with a member of our team today to schedule a product demonstration. You can also connect with us on our social media channels and read our latest blog posts for tips, updates, and insights from industry leaders.

Learn More: Explore these new features in detail by checking out our Q1 2025 Release Notes or by reaching out directly to release@trustwell.com with questions or for further information on technical updates for this release.