WESTMINSTER, CO — “Old Habits, New Challenges: The Critical Need for Modernization in Food and Beverage Supply Chains,” a new report from TraceGains, a leading provider of networked compliance, quality and innovation solutions in the food and beverage (F&B) industry, measured the readiness and sophistication among suppliers to manage regulatory changes and market influences.
A survey of more than 450 global F&B industry suppliers revealed:
– Nearly 50% of all suppliers rely on legacy systems such as spreadsheets to manage communications with their buyers
– 48% use manual spreadsheets to manage day-to-day tasks, processes and document exchanges
– 71% reported that outdated processes sometimes or often create issues in their daily work
– 60% said their biggest issue is time-consuming tasks, followed by data entry errors (39%) and miscommunication (32%)
According to the report, many suppliers are inadequately prepared for the next significant disruption, regulatory changes, and consumer demand for more sustainable products. Additionally, relying on outdated tools could impede a supplier’s ability to achieve greater efficiency; maintain compliance; and meet evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
For example, in January 2026, FSMA Rule 204, also known as the Food Traceability Rule, will enforce lot-level traceability for specific food materials in the US. At the same time, strengthening European ESG regulations are reshaping industry practices across Europe.