FSMA

FDA to Hold Town Halls on Food Traceability Rule Implementation

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:19:14 -0400

Registration is now open for the virtual meetings on FSMA 204, which will be jointly hosted with the Partnership for Food Traceability. FDA is interested in hearing stakeholder feedback on lot-level traceability efforts, industry challenges, and potential solutions.

FDA Withdraws COVID-Era Temporary Guidances for Onsite Visits Under FSMA

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:51:25 -0400

As COVID-19 no longer significantly impacts travel, FDA believes the temporary guidances are no longer relevant. The withdrawals will be effective on June 16, 2026.

LSU Researchers are Developing Farm-to-Packaging Produce Safety Strategies

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The Achyut Adhikari Research Group is conducting several projects focused on preventive, FSMA-aligned strategies to reduce microbiological risks during pre-harvest and processing of produce, including hydroponic production, manure fertilizer treatment, food-contact surface sanitation, and antimicrobial packaging development.

FDA Announces FSMA 204 Stakeholder Engagement Initiative, Releases Guidance

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:49:42 -0500

The agency has also finalized the exemption for IMS-listed Grade A cottage cheese from the requirements of the Food Traceability Rule.

Registration Now Open for 2026 AFDO Annual Education Conference

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:50:56 -0500

Taking place June 5–9 in Columbus, Ohio, the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) 130^th Annual Education Conference offers sessions focused on manufactured food safety, retail food safety, and produce safety.

GAO Identifies Areas in Which FDA Has Yet to Fulfill FSMA

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:10:26 -0500

A report published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessed FDA’s completion of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and identified several areas requiring more work, such as FSMA 204 implementation, certain Produce Safety Rule and Preventive Controls guidances, and required assessments.

The Perfect Storm is Brewing for Food Safety in 2026—Is Your Company Ready?

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

From food additive bans and obligatory food packaging changes to consumer right-to-know laws and labeling requirements, keeping abreast of the flurry of legislative and policy activity that is impacting the food industry may seem like an impossible task. This article discusses what you need to know and how best to prepare for upcoming food safety changes.

Penn State Announces Science-Based Short Courses for Food Safety Professionals in 2026

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:02:28 -0500

In 2026, Penn State University will host a series of three-day, in-person short courses designed for food safety and quality assurance professionals, food inspectors, plant managers, sanitarians, and food engineers, overing food microbiology, food science fundamentals, sanitation, and FSMA compliance.

USDA-NIFA Awards $9.6 Million in Grant Funding Under Food Safety Outreach Program

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:18:41 -0500

The Food Safety Outreach Program is a grant program in which USDA-NIFA provides funding for food safety training and education for small and mid-sized producers and processors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Ensuring Supplier FSMA Compliance through Supplier Preventive Controls

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This article explores how supplier preventive controls are a key element of food safety assurance in the end-to-end supply chain of food manufacturing to retail foodservice and sales.

Shutdown Deal Restricts Funds for FSMA 204, Produce Safety Rule Enforcement

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:38:04 -0500

The FY 2026 appropriations bill, approved by Senate to end the U.S. government shutdown, sets forth FDA’s Human Foods Program budget for FY 2026. It also prohibits the use of federal funds to enforce certain FSMA rules within designated timeframes or for specific commodities.

ReposiTrak to Host Traceability Webinar for Seafood Suppliers

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:51:24 -0500

Taking place on November 18, the session will outline the traceability expectations of major retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice distributors, the implications for seafood suppliers, and how ReposiTrak can simplify end-to-end traceability—especially in light of FSMA 204.

FDA Releases New Produce Safety Rule Ag Water Implementation Resources

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:27:03 -0400

The resources for industry include updated FAQs and information about how FDA plans to implement the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

FDA Uses FSMA Authority to Stop Radioactive Food Imports From Indonesia

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:52:33 -0400

After discovering radioactive isotope Cesium-137 in shipments of shrimp and spices from Indonesia, FDA is exercising for the first time a power granted by Congress under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to require food safety certification for imports.

Why Staying the Course on FSMA Rule 204 is a Strategic Advantage for Forward-Looking Food Companies

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Companies that remain committed to their traceability roadmaps will secure strategic, operational, and commercial benefits well before the extended deadline arrives.

GS1 US: Consumers Concerned About Food Recall Frequency, but it Shows Traceability Works

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:12:28 -0400

A GS1 US consumer survey has revealed that 93 percent of Americans are concerned about how frequently food recalls occur. GS1 US says increased recall frequency means traceability efforts are working.

No Reason to Wait: Prepare Now for FSMA Rule 204

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In March 2025, FDA announced its intent to extend the deadline for its Food Traceability Final Rule, under Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act, by 30 months. FDA says the extension will allow affected companies more time for building the necessary systems and effecting complete coordination across the supply chain in order to implement the final rule's requirements. However, this is no reason to wait on traceability!

Achieving Better Traceability for Refrigerated and Frozen Foods

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article looks at what the FSMA 204/traceability requirements mean for temperature-controlled food storage and transportation, as well as processes and technologies that can support traceability throughout the fresh and frozen food supply chains.

After Extending Compliance Date, FDA Offers New FSMA 204 Resources for Industry

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:31:34 -0400

Following FDA’s 30-month extension of the compliance date for the Food Traceability Final Rule (also known as FSMA 204), the agency has released new resources such as an updated FAQ, new examples of traceability plans, and an “At-A-Glance” document.

Hygienic Electrical Solutions Assure Food Safety, Compliance, and Uptime

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Industry expert Ralph Contreras from ABB Installation Products addresses critical questions about electrical infrastructure in food processing facilities. This Q&A format whitepaper covers FSMA compliance requirements, contamination sources, sanitization challenges, and the role of specialized electrical components in preventing costly recalls and downtime. Read on for essential guidance for processors seeking to protect food safety while maintaining operational efficiency in increasingly regulated environments.

FMI Urges FDA to Revise Food Traceability Rule as Part of Agency’s Deregulation Efforts

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:20:40 -0400

In response to FDA’s “Deregulatory Plan,” FMI—The Food Industry Association is urging FDA to make revisions to the “burdensome” Food Traceability Final Rule/FSMA 204, which FDA has already delayed by 30 months.

Registrar Corp Now Offers Online, Self-Paced PCQI Certification Course

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:55:21 -0400

Registrar Corp now offers a fully virtual, self-paced Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) course that meets FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements and offers an an official Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) certificate.

Produce Growers Say Time, Money are Biggest Barriers to Adoption of On-Farm Food Safety Practices

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:20:19 -0400

A survey of produce growers found that seven percent of respondents do not implement food safety risk reduction practices on their farms, reporting time and money to be the biggest challenges. Larger operations and farms subject to third-party audits were more likely to adopt risk reduction practices.

Michigan State University Launches Online Master of Science in Food Regulatory Affairs

Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

MSU says the program is ideal for early to mid-career professionals working in regulatory affairs, quality assurance, food safety, product development, or policy.

2025 Food Safety Summit Opening Workshop Tackles Traceability 'Next Steps'

BlumeA@bnpmedia.com (Adrienne Blume, M.A.) — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:45:43 -0400

The opening workshop of the 2025 Food Safety Summit focused on "Traceability Next Steps: Supply Chain Implementation" and included interactive traceability exercises to help attendees understand the requirements of FSMA 204.

Traceability as a Tool Versus an Answer

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article discusses Taylor Fresh Foods'/Taylor Farms' efforts, learnings, and progress on its food safety journey toward FSMA 204 compliance.

FDA Delays FSMA 204 Traceability Rule Compliance Date by 30 Months

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:09:36 -0400

FDA has delayed the compliance date for its Food Traceability Final Rule, fulfilling Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), by 30 months, due to concerns about industry unpreparedness. Consumer advocacy groups have expressed disapproval.

Penn State Extension to Hold Virtual FSMA Produce Grower Certification Webinar in April

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:45:20 -0500

Penn State Extension will host a two-day webinar in April to help produce growers meet the requirements of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Ep. 186. Lucy Angarita: Outlining an Action Plan for FSMA 204 Compliance

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 02:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Lucy Angarita of GS1 US about the challenges of, and progress made toward, compliance with FSMA 204 as the January 2026 compliance date approaches. Lucy also discusses actionable steps for companies to advance their traceability journeys.

Food Safety in Transition: Looking Toward FSMA 204 Compliance

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500

This article discusses the challenges facing the food industry with only one year left until the FSMA 204 compliance deadline.