Lot Traceability in 2025: Lessons From Pack Expo and FSMA 204 Compliance

At Pack Expo 2025, one theme consistently rose to the surface in conversations with food, beverage, and packaging manufacturers: lot traceability. With the enforcement date for the FSMA 204 Traceability Rule drawing closer now in 2028, companies across the supply chain are realizing their current systems may not be enough to meet regulators’ expectations, or their customers’ growing demand for transparency.

Lot traceability isn’t just a regulatory box to check; it’s the backbone of food safety, recall readiness, and brand trust. Yet many manufacturers still rely on spreadsheets, outdated ERP modules, or manual recordkeeping that break down when an auditor or worse, a recall, comes knocking.

This is where Softengine WMS+, paired with SAP Business One, provides a game-changing solution. With automated lot genealogy, warehouse-level visibility, and compliance-ready reporting, WMS+ is built to align manufacturers with FSMA 204 while delivering the operational confidence today’s market demands.

Why Lot Traceability Became a Pack Expo Headliner

Lot traceability has long been a compliance requirement, but 2025 brings new urgency:

1. FSMA 204 Enforcement Is Here

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act Rule 204 mandates detailed tracking of Key Data Elements (KDEs) and Critical Tracking Events (CTEs). Manufacturers who can’t connect this data quickly and accurately face penalties, recalls, and reputational harm.

2. Customer and Retailer Expectations

Large retailers and distributors now demand digital proofs of lot tracking. “Show me the record” has become a standard request, and without integrated systems, manufacturers struggle to respond in time.

3. Complexity of Global Supply Chains

Pack Expo attendees shared how global sourcing, co-manufacturing partnerships, and multiple distribution channels compound the traceability challenge. Disconnected systems and manual processes simply can’t scale.

The Risks of Weak Lot Traceability

Without robust lot control, manufacturers face significant risks:

• Regulatory fines and penalties for failing to comply with FSMA 204.
• Costly recalls where lack of data visibility forces companies to pull entire product lines instead of specific batches.
• Loss of retailer confidence, leading to contract terminations.
• Erosion of brand trust when consumers learn a company cannot verify product safety.

The conclusion is clear: lot traceability is critical for manufacturers to remain compliant and achieve sustainable success.

How Softengine WMS+ Powers Lot Traceability

Softengine’s WMS+ solution, built for SAP Business One, was designed with these realities in mind. At Pack Expo, manufacturers were drawn to its ability to replace manual spreadsheets and siloed tools with a compliance-ready, audit-proof platform.

Lot Genealogy From Raw Material to Finished Goods

WMS+ tracks every lot from receiving, through production, to pallet-level distribution. This genealogy trail allows manufacturers to see exactly which ingredients went into which batches, and where those batches were shipped.

Real-Time Warehouse Visibility

Unlike bolt-on solutions, WMS+ integrates directly with SAP Business One. That means warehouse operators, quality control, and finance teams all work from the same live data, minimizing errors and ensuring immediate response during audits.

FSMA 204 Compliance Out-of-the-Box

With configurable fields for KDEs and CTEs, WMS+ helps manufacturers capture the right data points during every step of production and movement. Instead of scrambling for compliance, companies build it directly into their everyday workflows.

Faster, Targeted Recalls

In the event of a contamination or audit request, WMS+ allows manufacturers to instantly generate recall reports at the lot, batch, or pallet level. This precision reduces both cost and brand damage compared to broad, untargeted recalls.

Lessons From Pack Expo 2025: What Manufacturers Are Saying

Conversations on the floor highlighted three consistent takeaways:

1. Spreadsheets Are No Longer Enough
   Manufacturers relying on Excel admitted they cannot realistically keep up with FSMA 204. Audit requests that should take minutes instead take days.
2. ERP Alone Doesn’t Always Solve It
   Generic ERP systems without advanced warehouse and lot tracking modules leave critical gaps. Attendees repeatedly emphasized the need for purpose-built extensions like Softengine WMS+.
3. Traceability Is a Growth Enabler
   Rather than seeing compliance as a burden, forward-thinking manufacturers viewed lot traceability as a sales advantage, helping win contracts with retailers and foodservice providers who demand verifiable transparency.

Why Softengine WMS+ Is Different

What sets Softengine’s WMS+ apart is its focus on industry realities:

• Food & Beverage Manufacturers: Manage allergens, expiration dates, and recall scenarios with precision.
• Seafood & Meat Processors: Capture catch/harvest data and maintain compliance across highly perishable supply chains.
• Candy & Confectionery: Record exact recipe inputs and panning/tempering conditions, tying them to batch results.
• Coffee Roasters: Maintain bag-to-lot traceability, cupping results, and roast profiles all in one system.

Softengine doesn’t just deliver ERP, we deliver ERP that’s been engineered for regulatory confidence and operational clarity.

Conclusion: Lot Traceability in Manufacturing at the PACK Expo 2025

Lot traceability is the foundation of food safety and customer trust in 2025. At Pack Expo, it became clear that manufacturers who treat traceability as a priority are better positioned to grow, protect their brand, and satisfy regulatory and retail requirements.

With Softengine WMS+ for SAP Business One, lot genealogy, warehouse control, and FSMA 204 compliance come together in a single, integrated solution. Manufacturers move from reactive fire drills to proactive confidence ready for the next audit, recall, or customer demand.

FAQs: Lot Traceability and FSMA 204

What is lot traceability in manufacturing?

It’s the ability to track raw materials, ingredients, and finished products across every stage of the supply chain, down to specific lots or batches.

How does FSMA 204 affect manufacturers?

FSMA 204 requires capturing Key Data Elements (KDEs) and Critical Tracking Events (CTEs), demanding far more detailed recordkeeping than before.

Why can’t spreadsheets handle lot traceability?

Manual systems are prone to errors, can’t scale with production complexity, and fail to deliver quick, audit-ready reporting.

How does WMS+ help with recalls?

Softengine WMS+ generates recall reports at the lot level instantly, reducing scope and costs by identifying exactly which products are affected.

Softengine is Here to Help!

Partnering with Softengine, a Premier SAP Business One Partner and a Gold Acumatica Partner, for your ERP implementation not only streamlines the data migration process but also ensures a seamless transition to your new ERP platform. Our team’s expertise, dedication, and commitment to customer success make us the ideal partner for organizations seeking to unlock the full potential of their ERP investment and scaling in the digital economy. Contact us to learn more about how our clients utilize ERP to enhance and scale their organizations, and see our solutions in action for yourself!