EWING, N.J. – October 29, 2026 -- GS1 US has launched Rapid Record, an SMS-based tool that lets produce growers log traceability data in the field without installing an app or relying on Wi-Fi. The tool is included with a GS1 US membership.
Text prompts guide growers through four event types
Growers record harvesting, cooling, initial packing and shipping events through guided text prompts. Completed digital records go to an email address designated by the grower's organization.
Before using the tool, growers identify products, locations, authorized users and a delivery email address. They then follow mobile phone prompts, review event details and submit the record. The multilingual tool uses GS1 Standards identifiers, including the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and Global Location Number (GLN). Records can be retained internally and shared with trading partners.
FSMA Rule 204 requires records to reach the FDA within 24 hours
The U.S. FDA's Food Traceability Rule, known as FSMA Rule 204, sets recordkeeping requirements for businesses that handle foods on the Food Traceability List. These cover specific Key Data Elements for Critical Tracking Events, which support faster recalls and tracebacks during foodborne illness investigations. Records must be provided to the FDA within 24 hours of a request and made available electronically.
GS1 US targets growers with limited technology resources
Rapid Record is designed for growers with limited technology resources and for trading partners that depend on consistent information from the first stages of the food supply chain. Michelle Covey, vice president of customer success at GS1 US, said traceability is "only as strong as the data captured at each step of the supply chain."