NEW YORK, NY — August 19, 2026 — Kezzler, a global leader in digital supply chains and traceability, and Starfish, the food industry’s interoperability platform, have successfully completed a pilot showing seamless data interoperability in support of FSMA Section 204.
Putting FSMA 204 compliance to the test
The pilot focused on the automated exchange of Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) for products on the Food Traceability List (FTL). By using EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) as a shared data language, Kezzler and Starfish showed that traceability data can move securely and accurately across different technology providers without compromising product genealogy or data integrity.
Kezzler provided its high-scale, cloud-based EPCIS repository to ingest, stitch, and store complex event data at enterprise scale. It emulated several distinct nodes along the supply chain including a deli salad commissary, a distribution, and retail operations. This enabled the simulation, capture and sharing of Transformation, Shipping, and Receiving Key Data Elements (KDEs) across several CTEs.
Meanwhile, Starfish contributed its specialized network capabilities to facilitate the secure movement and routing of these events. As a result, the collaboration highlights that interoperability — not proprietary silos — is the key to global regulatory readiness.
“Food traceability depends on more than collecting data — it requires the ability to exchange that data securely and accurately across the entire supply chain. This pilot demonstrates that open standards and interoperability can connect existing systems, preserve product genealogy, and help the industry meet FSMA 204 requirements at scale. Our work with Kezzler and the Partnership for Food Traceability is an important step toward a more connected, transparent, and responsive food supply chain,” said Wiggs Civitillo, CEO of Starfish.
Part of the PFT Interoperability Pilot
The initiative was conducted as part of the Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT) Interoperability Pilot. The PFT represents a cross-industry commitment to making traceability work at scale. They bring together sectors, associations, and consortia around a shared belief that effective data exchange requires coordinated, agreed-upon standards and practices across the supply chain.
The detailed pilot findings have been captured in the newly released PFT Interoperability Cucumber Pilot Whitepaper, which documents in detail how real-world supply chains can achieve true interoperability as companies work toward FSMA 204 compliance.
GS1 EPCIS: the common language behind the pilot
The use of the GS1 EPCIS standard was central to the pilot’s success. It allowed the platforms to translate inbound and outbound events into a universal format, ensuring that KDEs required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are instantly recognizable and queryable by any authorized partner across the supply chain.
By breaking down proprietary data silos, Kezzler and Starfish are proving that an open, collaborative ecosystem is the most viable path to global regulatory readiness and a more transparent food system.
“The success of our data exchange with Starfish demonstrates a fundamental truth about next-generation supply chains: true cross-chain traceability cannot be achieved in proprietary silos,” said Frederic Clulow, General Manager United States at Kezzler. “By leveraging a common language through GS1’s EPCIS, we are proving that automated, machine-to-machine data exchange across disparate platforms is not just technically viable, but essential for building a safer, more transparent global food system.”
About Kezzler
Since 2001, Kezzler has been at the forefront of product traceability, transparency, and consumer engagement solutions. Powered by connected product data. Its platform helps global brands achieve end-to-end value chain visibility, meet regulatory requirements, and deliver digital product experiences at scale.
In 2025, Kezzler acquired Scanbuy’s smart packaging and QR engagement business, expanding its capabilities across the entire product lifecycle. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Kezzler serves customers in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
About Starfish
Starfish is the interoperability platform for the food supply chain, connecting organizations, systems, and trading partners without requiring companies to replace the software they already use. Through a growing network of integrations, Starfish enables organizations to exchange business documents and supply chain data, helping simplify EDI, traceability, and digital collaboration across the food industry.
