FDA Releases New Food Traceability Tools, Proposes Records Compliance Extension
The FDA has issued new tools for food traceability and a frequently asked questions document on the subject, according to an Aug. 6 constituent update. The new tools come as the agency also is proposing to extend the compliance date for a rule addressing traceability records for certain foods by 30 months, as announced by the agency in March (see 2503200060), it said in a notice released Aug. 6.
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Among the new tools are additional examples of traceability plans for food processors, distribution center and aquaculture farms and facilities; supply chain examples for eggs, produce, nut butter and dual jurisdiction facilities; and translation of these documents into six languages: Spanish, French, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian.
The FDA is proposing to extend the compliance date for the rule "Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods" from Jan. 20, 2026, to July 20, 2028. The agency said this extension is in response to "concerns about the amount of time affected entities will need to implement the requirements of the rule."
Comments on this proposed extension are due by Sept. 8. The FDA says the rule requires entities to maintain records containing information on critical tracking events in the supply chain for designated foods, such as initial packing, shipping, receiving and transforming these foods.