TraceGains and Esko launch unified ‘source-to-shelf’ platform

TraceGains and Esko have announced a partnership to launch TraceGains Packaging Specification Management in a move to eliminate the silos that plague the food and beverage industry.

This new solution creates a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem that unifies ingredient specifications, packaging data, product formulas, and artwork approvals into a single, connected platform.

The collaboration between the two Veralto portfolio companies aims to bridge the dangerous gap between supply chain data and final packaging.

By integrating TraceGains’ compliance and quality expertise with Esko’s WebCenter Go artwork management solution, the partnership offers a “source-to-shelf” workflow designed to mitigate the industry’s most persistent risks.

The new platform addresses a critical pain point for CPG brands: the failure of ingredient changes — such as new allergens or updated nutritional claims — to reach the packaging and artwork teams in time for production.

“Packaging errors remain one of the most common and costly sources of risk for CPG brands,” said Gary Iles, CMO of Esko & TraceGains. “By unifying ingredients, packaging, and artwork in one connected ecosystem, we’re mitigating the risk of miscommunication between teams and errors that could lead to costly brand recalls or reputational damage.”

A standout feature of the new system is automated change control. Whenever upstream data changes — such as a supplier update or a formula tweak — the system automatically triggers a review of the corresponding packaging and artwork. This prevents mismatches between the product inside and the label outside before they reach the consumer.

The platform provides a comprehensive system of record, supporting complex one-to-many relationships where a single packaging component may be used across multiple finished goods (SKUs). With Esko’s digital artwork approval workflows baked in, the system ensures that every decision is logged, providing a clear audit trail for compliance teams and regulators.

The launch comes as the industry reaches a tipping point regarding data management. Research from TraceGains highlights that teams across the food, beverage, and private label sectors are currently struggling with fragmented email-based approvals and limited visibility into how small changes ripple across their product portfolios.

These findings are corroborated by Esko’s 2026 Packaging Trends Report, which identified a lack of system integration and outdated manual processes as the top challenges facing packaging teams this year.

By creating a “single source of truth,” the TraceGains and Esko partnership allows brands to manage packaging assemblies alongside ingredient specs means brands can move faster through the new product development (NPD) cycle without sacrificing accuracy.

“Esko and TraceGains are redefining what’s possible by connecting packaging excellence with supply chain intelligence,” Iles added. “Now, brands have access to unprecedented clarity and control.”