Attention All Kroger Food Suppliers!
Beginning November 25, 2026, Kroger suppliers publishing food items through Syndigo will be required to provide FSMA Section 204 Traceability information for impacted products. Items missing the required information will be unable to publish to Kroger.
Who is impacted? Suppliers with items in Meat/Seafood, Bakery, Produce, and Grocery categories.
New Required Attribute FSMA Section 204 Traceability
Select one of the following:
- APPLICABLE
- NOT APPLICABLE – KILL STEP APPLIED
- NOT APPLICABLE – NOT COVERED FTL
If APPLICABLE is selected, the Packaging Type Code attribute will also be required.
Important Dates
- November 25, 2026: FSMA Section 204 Traceability becomes required for applicable items submitted to Kroger through Syndigo.
- December 18, 2026: Kroger's deadline for suppliers to complete declarations on applicable items.
Suppliers are responsible for determining whether their products are subject to the FDA Food Traceability Rule and selecting the appropriate declaration.
Resources
Kroger Food Traceability Information: https://www.thekrogerco.com/vendor-suppliers/vendors/food-traceability/
Kroger Supplier Letter: See Below
Questions regarding Kroger's requirements should be directed to Kroger at [email protected].
Vendor Letter From Kroger to their Vendor Community:
Dear Valued Kroger Supplier,
Thank you to everyone who submitted a traceability contact following our August request. This information helps Kroger send compliance requirements, training opportunities, and implementation updates to the appropriate contacts within your organization.
Food suppliers must now review the products they provide to Kroger and determine which items are included on the FDA Food Traceability List (FTL) as detailed within the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). For each applicable item, complete the required FSMA self-declaration in the product’s information management platform: Salsify, Syndigo, or 1WS.
Complete declarations for existing applicable items by December 18, 2026. Beginning on that date, the required declaration must also be completed when setting up an applicable new item.
Remember: The FTL lists foods, not companies. Review each item separately based on its ingredients, formulation, form, processing, and any applicable exemptions. Kroger cannot determine whether an item is subject to the rule or whether an exemption applies on a supplier’s behalf.
Kroger will provide separate guidance on future ASN 856, EDI, labeling, testing, and implementation requirements. Do not make technical changes based on assumptions or requirements that Kroger has not formally communicated.
Required Actions
- Complete the FSMA self-declaration for each applicable item by December 18, 2026.
- Submit the required Contact Nomination Form if you have not already done so, or update your compliance contact’s information.
- Review the Kroger FSMA FAQ and available support resources in the Supplier Traceability Hub.
- Monitor Kroger communications for future ASN, EDI, labeling, testing, and training requirements.
- Register your interest in upcoming Kroger traceability pilots, webinars, town halls, and training opportunities.
Thank you for helping Kroger build accurate and dependable traceability across the supply chain.
Sincerely,
Howard Popoola
Vice President, Corporate Food Technology & Regulatory Compliance
The Kroger Co.
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
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