Soon, companies producing or handling foods on the FDA's Food Traceability List (FTL) will be required to generate and maintain more detailed records under the proposed rule that aims to supercharge the traceability of foods. Items such as leafy greens, tomatoes, melons, nut butters, ready-to-eat deli salads, finfish and crustaceans, and all types of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are among nearly 20 categories of common fresh and processed foods on the list.
These foods are singled out for more detailed tracking information because they are the most common sources of foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S., thereby designated by FDA as "high risk." The FDA's proposed Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (Food Traceability) rule implements Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and is a key component of FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint. When finalized in November 2022, the rule would specifically require persons who "manufacture, process, pack, or hold" foods on the FTL to record certain Key Data Elements (KDEs) associated with different Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) in the supply chain. The proposed compliance date is within two years after the regulation is finalized.