The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in partnership with the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), has launched a new training curriculum on the Food Traceability Rule, also known as Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204).

The course, titled “FSPCA FTR Training for the Food Industry,” is a core, industry-oriented training that provides participants with the foundational knowledge needed to understand and comply with the Food Traceability Rule. Registration for participants is now available on the FSPCA website, along with information for prospective Lead Instructor candidates.

The course content is focused on providing participants with an understanding of Food Traceability Rule recordkeeping requirements, how to recognize which requirements are applicable based on specific supply chain activities, how traceability data are transmitted through the supply chain, and what is required in a FSMA 204 Traceability Plan. The training also covers how companies may approach establishing food traceability programs and procedures, including supply chain and data considerations.

The curriculum was designed by regulatory, academia, and industry professionals and developed with funding from FDA.

In June and November, FDA and the Partnership for Food Traceability will also hold public meetings to give stakeholders the opportunity to share information on FSMA 204 implementation and areas of concern related to lot-level tracking and flexibilities for compliance.