The tariff storm is here—and it’s not passing anytime soon. From skyrocketing ingredient prices to whiplash policy changes, the food and beverage (F&B) industry is once again in the hot seat. With over 30% of fresh vegetables and 55% of fresh fruits in the US coming from international suppliers, according to the FDA, new tariffs don’t just threaten costs—they expose deep vulnerabilities in sourcing, compliance, and continuity.
In this new normal, uncertainty has become more than a variable—it’s the baseline. So how do you navigate through it all without losing your competitive edge?
We’re cutting through the chaos by tackling seven urgent questions facing the industry right now. These insights from TraceGains thought leaders aim to provide strategic clarity—minus the panic—and help you reshape your approach in a world where tariffs and supply shocks are here to stay.
1. How can we stay ahead of tariff shocks without constantly playing catch-up?
“There’s no playbook for volatility, but there are patterns. The companies that stay ahead aren’t the ones reacting faster—they’re the ones anticipating smarter. That starts with connecting your data—suppliers, ingredients, locations, risks—into one system that gives you line-of-sight into how tariffs will actually impact your operations. That’s how you get out of survival mode and start steering with confidence.”
– Paul Bradley, Senior Director of Product Marketing
The complexity of tariffs doesn’t just come from policy, it comes from their ripple effects: ingredients delayed, packaging costs doubled, entire product lines thrown off course. The trick isn’t to wait for impact—it’s to understand where you’re exposed before the hit comes.
Savvy teams are looking at data from sourcing to shelf to create early warning systems. By connecting the dots between tariff changes and supplier dependencies, they’re able to act on signals before they turn into problems. It’s about having a command center mindset—seeing everything clearly, so nothing catches you off guard.
2. How do we know when it’s time to rethink our operating model?
“Disruption doesn’t always demand reinvention, but it does require some serious reflection. If you’re still managing crises with spreadsheets and email threads, that’s a red flag. The most resilient companies today are rethinking what agility actually looks like—from how they manage product data to how they coordinate across procurement, R&D, and compliance. The goal isn’t to jump on the latest tech trend, but to remove the friction that slows down decision-making when speed matters most.”
– Greg Heartman, VP of Product Management
Most F&B teams didn’t plan for this level of sustained volatility. But that’s the nature of inflection points—they’re not always visible until you’re in them. Whether it’s delays from a single supplier or a massive cost spike due to import duties, the systems that once worked fine under pressure start to fray.
Leaders who can zoom out and assess their operating model with fresh eyes are the ones best positioned to make smart pivots. That might mean centralizing key information, revamping supplier engagement, or reducing handoffs in product development. Whatever the path, the goal is the same: remove friction, gain control, and build resilience for the next disruption—not just the current one.
3. How do we make our supply chain nimble enough to handle this?
“Agility is one of the strongest safeguards against supply chain disruption. The most resilient companies don’t treat supplier flexibility as a last resort—they build it into their core operations. By mapping out alternate sources, establishing qualification processes, and understanding supplier risk, they’re ready to reroute instead of scramble. True agility means the system bends without breaking, and teams can move forward with confidence because the plan is already in place.”
– Heather Thompson, Customer Success Manager
In today’s market, single points of failure are ticking time bombs. Building agility into your supply chain means more than just having a backup—it means having a plan, a platform, and partners ready to go.
From rapid supplier qualification to flexible onboarding, businesses that prioritize agility can adjust sourcing strategies on the fly without compromising safety or quality. Therefore, if Plan A falls through, Plan B is already halfway down the runway.
4. How do we qualify new suppliers without cutting corners?
“Speed is critical, but trust is everything. And trust doesn’t come from skipping steps; it comes from having a process that’s both rigorous and repeatable. Leaders in the industry have figured out how to bring new suppliers online fast—while still meeting the highest standards for safety, documentation, and audit readiness. Cutting corners doesn’t lead to long-term success—designing a streamlined qualification process that anticipates regulatory needs, standardizes vetting, and enables rapid, uncompromised onboarding does.”
– Amber Van Mansfeld, Growth Associate
Regulatory demands don’t ease up just because your supply chain takes a hit. That’s why agile sourcing strategies must be paired with robust digital verification processes. Think of it as building a flexible backbone—strong enough to support rapid changes, but smart enough to keep everything in compliance.
A connected supplier network gives you access to prequalified partners, real-time data sharing, and peace of mind when time is tight and options are limited.
5. What’s the fastest way to reformulate without risk?
“Reformulation has traditionally been seen as a backup plan, not a front-line strategy, and that’s a mistake. Change can happen fast and unpredictably, but when you’re prepared—with the right tools—you can adjust your recipe in minutes, swap in different ingredients, and still keep everything in line with regulations, ensure nutritional accuracy, and avoid the all-too-common allergen recalls, even before the pilot run. It might sound simple, but reformulation is going to be essential for navigating today’s volatile ingredient supply chain.”
– Jill Hohnstein, Nutrition & Labeling Manager
The price of inaction is rising faster than ingredient costs. Reformulating lets you stay competitive by adapting to what’s available without rewriting your entire product strategy. But swapping one ingredient for another means little without the confidence and precision to back each change.
That’s where digitized formulation tools shine. They ensure nutritional accuracy, flag potential allergens, and help your team avoid costly mistakes. The best part? They shorten R&D timelines dramatically, getting new or revised products out the door in weeks instead of months.
6. How do we collaborate with co-mans and suppliers in real time?
“Your supply chain partners are only as valuable as your ability to collaborate with them, clearly and quickly. When product specs, formula updates, or compliance documents are trapped in email threads or local drives, you’re adding risk and losing speed. Best-in-class teams are now working from shared digital workspaces, where co-mans, suppliers, and internal stakeholders can all access the same source of truth. Collaboration alone isn’t enough—what matters is controlled collaboration, with version control, approval workflows, and compliance tracking baked in. That’s how you move as one team, even across continents.”
– Kari Barnes, Regulatory Standards Manager
Reformulation and sourcing challenges rarely stop at your own four walls. Whether it’s a co-man adjusting a batch size or a supplier suggesting an alternative ingredient, success depends on the flow of accurate, up-to-date information across all stakeholders.
Real-time collaboration platforms remove the bottlenecks and miscommunications that slow things down. They create a single source of truth and a space to make fast, smart decisions together—so the next disruption doesn’t derail your entire production plan.
7. Are you connecting the dots between compliance and competitiveness?
In a market shaped by tariffs, evolving global standards, and rising consumer scrutiny, compliance can no longer be treated as a back-office function. It’s a strategic lever—one that either accelerates growth or slows you down.
“Too often, compliance is seen as the cost of doing business, when in reality, it’s a source of competitive advantage. Companies that integrate compliance into the early stages of sourcing and formulation move faster, take fewer risks, and build stronger brand trust. They’re not reacting to regulations—they’re anticipating them. And that foresight pays off, especially when margins are tight and time-to-market is critical.”
– Gary Iles, SVP of Marketing and Business Development
By embedding compliance into the digital backbone of their operations, F&B companies can spot risks early, eliminate duplication of effort, and respond to regulatory shifts with confidence instead of panic. In uncertain times, agility matters—but smart compliance is what keeps you agile.
The bottom line? Ask better questions. Get better outcomes.
Tariffs may be out of your control, but how you respond is entirely up to you. These seven burning questions are a starting point to think bigger, act faster, and compete smarter.
Don’t just ride out the turbulence—use it to climb.
Want to see how your team can build supply chain resilience, reformulate with confidence, and go digital without the headaches?
