GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) Requirement for USDA Foods Vendors

USDA Foods vendors are required to report product information to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through the GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GS1 GDSN) for specific items purchased for the USDA Foods in Schools program within 20 days of contract award. Those items can be found on the List of Required Products.
 

The information below is intended for USDA Foods vendors that supply USDA Foods in Schools products. State agencies and school foodservice operators may visit the FNS website to access the USDA Foods Database, which provides vendor-supplied nutrition, allergen, and ingredient information for USDA Foods in Schools products.
 

Do I need to report my product information to GS1 GDSN? Is the product for USDA Foods in Schools AND on the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN Reporting? No. Requirement does not apply. Yes. Report your product information to GS1 GDSN using a data pool provider within 20 days of contract award. Check the Tips for Successful Publication to learn what to include. Did you receive a notification that your publication was unsuccessful? Correct your product information as indicated in the email using your data pool provider. Success! You have met the GS1 GDSN requirement.

  • USDA Foods vendors are required to submit product information to USDA through GS1 GDSN for specific products. Vendors will only need to report nutrition information to GS1 GDSN once, unless there is a change to the product information. If there is a change to the product information, vendors will need to ensure that they update the information in GS1 GDSN accordingly.

    Contractors/non-manufacturers who are contract holders with USDA to supply food products are responsible for ensuring that USDA receives their supplier’s product information through GS1 GDSN. For more information, see How do contractors/non-manufacturers report product information?

    Specific products required for GS1 GDSN can be found on the List of Required Products.
     

  • The GS1 GDSN requirement only applies to products that USDA purchases for the USDA Foods in Schools program. Specific products required for GS1 GDSN can be found on the List of Required Products. 

  • If you are a USDA Foods vendor who supplies a product from the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN Reporting, then follow these steps:

    1.    Choose a data pool provider from the List of Certified Data Pools. 
    2.    Enter the required product information identified in the Tips for Successful Publication.
    3.    Publish product information to the USDA FNS Global Location Number (GLN) 0861583000319. There are many GLNs, including another USDA GLN, so look for the GLN ending in “319”.

    Vendors are required to subscribe to a certified data pool provider to share product information through GS1 GDSN. The subscription cost varies depending upon several factors such as company size and the number of items. Vendors can choose any data pool provider from the List of Certified Data Pools.
     

  • USDA Foods vendors will be required to submit product information to GS1 GDSN within 20 days of receiving an award for any item on the List of Required Products for GS1 GDSN Reporting. If there is a change to the product information (i.e. formulation change), vendors must update the information in GS1 GDSN accordingly. 

  • The GS1 GDSN initiative fulfills the legislative requirement of Section 14 (b)(2) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (7 U.S.C 1762a(b)(2)) by making nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information available for the National School Lunch Program's participants. The purpose of the requirement is to ensure that schools have complete and accurate information on any USDA Foods they might receive.  

  • USDA compiles product information submitted through GS1 GDSN into the USDA Foods Database: Download Up-to-Date Version.

    The USDA Foods Database is available on the FNS public website for schools and state agencies to learn more about USDA Foods products for ordering and menu planning purposes. The database is updated monthly and displays the following disclaimer:  

    “Information available on this site has been supplied by the USDA Foods vendor and was last updated on the date listed below indicated in the Last Updated field. FNS is sharing vendor-supplied product information as a planning tool for school districts and is not responsible for misreported or missing information. Please use the allergen statement provided on the outside of the physical product to verify allergen information prior to serving the product.”
     

  • Contractors/non-manufacturers who are contract holders with USDA to supply food products are responsible for ensuring that USDA receives their supplier’s product information in GS1 GDSN. Contractors/non-manufacturers have the option to enter product information into GS1 GDSN on behalf of their supplier, or contractors/non-manufacturers may put the responsibility of reporting product information in GS1 GDSN on their supplier. The contractor/non-manufacturer will be contractually responsible for ensuring that the supplier’s product information is reported to the USDA in GS1 GDSN.

    Some contractors/non-manufacturers may supply finished goods with different brand names. The purpose of the requirement is to ensure that schools have complete and accurate information on any item they might receive as a USDA Food. The school will need to be able to identify and match the information reported in GS1 GDSN with the product they have received. In this case, USDA would require that the contractor/non-manufacturer ensure that product information for each brand name is reported to GS1 GDSN.
     

  • Helpful Links for Reporting

    Training and Updates

    How Product Information will be Shared