KeHE Document Updates – Effective July 1st, 2026
Operational Excellence and Supplier Partner Success remain two of KeHE’s three strategic pillars. As part of our continued commitment to strengthening and improving our day-to-day operations, clarifying expectations, and aligning with current market conditions, we are implementing updates to the following documents effective July 1st, 2026.
These updated documents supersede all previous agreements and terms of purchase. costs and customer price transparency, and (3) KeHE’s approach to potential tariff refunds.
Case Barcode Non-Compliance Grace Period Now in Effect
Case Barcode Non-Compliance Fees were initially communicated on October 1st, 2025, and the 90-day grace period is now in effect.
Non-compliant cases received in KeHE DCs can be viewed in K-Solve, with item level detail, but will show a zero billing during the 90-day grace period. This detail can be identified by GTINF in the Remarks column. Please review your account and address any non-compliance to avoid future fines.
- Barcode requirements are outlined in Section 2.1 of the KeHE Policies & Procedures, the Inbound Routing Guide, and the accompanying Inbound Routing Guide Fee Schedule.
- 2.1 UPC Requirements; Product Information; Case Barcode Requirements.
- All Products must have a scannable 12-digit UPC number (also known as a GTIN 12) on the Product unit being sold to the retailer, plus all additional product and case labeling instructions, as specified in the Inbound Routing Guide. All product shipping, handling, and storage information, including, but not limited to, any special instructions regarding seasonal temperature controls, as specified in the Inbound Routing Guide, must be provided by Supplier at the time of Product set up.
- Product outer cases must also be properly labeled, in accordance with labeling instructions and Case Barcode Requirements, as defined and specified in the Inbound Routing Guide, or Supplier may be subject to fees and additional expenses, as further specified in the Inbound Routing Guide.
KeHE Reminders
- KeHE EDI Compliance Program – Effective July 1st, 2026
- Action needed for Food Traceability Compliance – If your products do not contain ingredients on the FTL, you must still answer “NO” to the prompt in the KeHE CONNECT Supplier® portal.
- Manufacturers must remove FD&C Red No. 3 from:
- Food products by January 15th, 2027
- Ingested drug products by January 18th, 2028
- Products manufactured before these effective dates may still appear in the market temporarily, but no new production using Red No. 3 is permitted after the deadlines.
Notice: Extended Producer Responsibility (“EPR”) Requirements for Packaging Products
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