Blog Articles

Leveraging FreshByte to Comply with FDA Requirements and Minimize Recall Impact

In today’s wholesale distribution landscape, end-to-end product traceability isn’t a “nice-to-have” feature — it’s an operational necessity.

One of the largest recalls of eggs in U.S. history happened in June as 20 million eggs were pulled from the shelves following reports of a salmonella outbreak that sickened and hospitalized consumers across 7 states.

How Foodservice ERP Solutions Make a Difference

Independent food distributors are the backbone of America’s food supply chain, connecting growers, manufacturers, and producers with restaurants, retailers, and institutions nationwide. Yet, in today’s volatile environment, these businesses face a unique set of challenges that threaten profitability, compliance, and customer loyalty.

When a product recall hits your wholesale distribution business, time is your most valuable asset. A delayed or disorganized response can cost thousands – even millions – in lost product, regulatory fines, and damaged brand trust.

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) — one of America's largest wholesale food distributors — was forced to shut down its entire network in June 2025 following a devastating cyberattack. Its CEO admitted the company is now operating on only a “limited basis” while scrambling to recover from what’s become an all-too-familiar nightmare in the food distribution industry..

Food distribution is a margin-sensitive industry where every cent counts.

“Food service distribution is a highly competitive industry with relatively low margins,” says Inbound Logistics publication. “Many refer to it as “a penny business” because for every dollar of top-line sales, only a few pennies trickle to the bottom line.”

Consumers in the United States have access to a greater variety of food than at any time in history, but the complex path from farm to fork reveals critical vulnerabilities in our food safety systems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on March 20, 2025 that it was delaying the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months.

At the heart of modern warehouse management lies data – vast amounts of it – flowing from inventory systems, order processing platforms, labor management software, and IoT devices throughout the facility.

2025 is shaping up to be a watershed year in food safety as organizations prepare for new federal traceability rules, respond to high-profile foodborne outbreaks, and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into food safety solutions.