SILVER SPRINGS, MD — The FDA announced its intent to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule, also known as FSMA Rule 204, from its original January 2026 date.
In an HFP Constituent Update on the change, the organization noted that the date would be pushed back by 30 months using the appropriate procedure. This includes publishing the proposed rule in the Federal Register.
The date change does not amend FSMA Rule 204’s requirements, the FDA noted, but instead offers more time for food and beverage companies to coordinate across their supply chain for full implementation of the food safety requirements.
Written into FSMA in 2012, the Food Traceability Rule requires companies such as commercial bakeries to keep additional records for up to 24 months on items included in the Food Traceability List. The goal of the rule is to speed up the identification and removal of contaminated foods, which benefits both producers and consumers.
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) released a statement in response to the FDA notice.
“While we are disappointed by the 30-month delay in compliance with the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule, we acknowledge the complexities of implementing a regulation with global impact,” said Blake Harris, technical director of IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center. “However, public health must remain a top priority. The persistence of foodborne illness and recalls underscores the need for food industry stakeholders to invest in traceability and advance their efforts quickly, regardless of regulatory timelines. Moreover, as many global regulations and initiatives continue to prioritize traceability as a foundational element, it is critical for the food industry to stay aligned with these global efforts to meet both regulatory and consumer demands. We encourage food industry stakeholders to use this time to collaborate across the food system and adopt best practices that strengthen traceability. IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center has a variety of valuable resources that they can access at no cost at Global Food Traceability Center. By working together and prioritizing interoperability, we can simplify traceability and better protect public health.”
Visit the FDA website for more information.
