FSMA

FDA Proposes Cadmium Action Levels for Baby Foods, Issues Preventive Controls Guidance for Chemical Hazards

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:55:52 -0400

The actions are part of FDA's Closer to Zero initiative, which aims to continually reduce dietary exposure to toxic heavy metals among babies and young children.

FSMA 204 Survival Kit

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The FDA Food Traceability Rule is still coming. While the FDA has proposed extending the compliance date to July 20, 2028, and says it won’t enforce the rule before then, now is the time to prepare. Use this extra time to identify gaps, strengthen your traceability processes, and avoid scrambling as the deadline approaches. Download the Food Traceability Survival Kit to learn more and get the resources you need to prepare.

FSMA 204 Readiness Assessment

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

How ready is your operation for the FDA Food Traceability Rule? This 10-question self-assessment evaluates key areas of FSMA 204 compliance, from tracking CTEs and KDEs to supplier readiness, data quality, and mock recalls. Use your results to identify gaps, prioritize next steps, and strengthen your traceability strategy. Download the Food Traceability Survival Kit to learn more and start preparing.

FDA Announces Food Traceability Rule Exemption for Certain Small Businesses, Considers Additional Flexibilities

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:44:38 -0400

Under the draft policy, FDA would not enforce requirements for retailers and restaurants selling less than $1 million worth of food in a three-year period. FDA will also hold a public meeting to discuss potential flexibilities related to Traceability Lot Codes, Key Data Elements, and other issues.

After 2025 ‘Radioactive Shrimp’ Incident, FDA Reports Indonesian Import Certification Program Now Up to Par

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:05:03 -0400

FDA found Indonesia’s Cs-137 import certification program for shrimp and spices, launched because cesium-contaminated shipments of shrimp and spices were detected in the U.S., “substantially meets requirements” after the certifying entities corrected deficiencies identified through an in-country assessment.

Penn State Extension to Hold FSMA Training Series for Pennsylvania Growers in 2027

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:25:48 -0400

Penn State Extension will offer a series of in-person and virtual training sessions for Pennsylvania fruit and vegetable growers on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and the co-management of natural resources and food safety.

Congress Urged to Prevent FDA Traceability Rule Delay, Which Could Have Helped Cyclospora Outbreak Investigation

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The appropriations bill for FY 2026 prohibits FDA from using federal funds to implement FSMA 204 before the delayed July 2028 compliance date. Earlier implementation of the Traceability Rule could have enabled faster, more effective response to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce.

FDA Finalizes FSMA Preventive Controls Guidance for Fresh-Cut Produce

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:01:40 -0400

The resource provides recommendations and examples for implementing FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule requirements to control known or reasonably foreseeable biological hazards in fresh-cut produce.

FDA Announces FY 2027 VQIP, TPP User Fee Rates

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:02:05 -0400

FDA has announced the fiscal year (FY) 2027 user fee rates for importers approved to participate in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) and accreditation and certification bodies interested in participating in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP).

Food Safety Five Ep. 35: Produce Safety Science and Small Growers’ Perspectives

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five highlights new research on cold storage practices for fresh-cut produce, food safety perspectives among small-scale produce growers exempt from FDA's FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and water management strategies that reduce arsenic in rice.

Small-Scale Produce Growers Share Perspectives on FDA’s Produce Safety Rule Exemptions

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers from Purdue University conducted focus groups with Indiana produce growers who qualified for exemptions from the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, examining the beliefs and practical constraints that shape on-farm food safety practices.

FDA Traceability Rule Readiness Exercises Reveal Supply Chain Coordination Matters More than Technology

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:36:36 -0400

A series of tabletop exercises led by FDA and involving food companies across the supply chain revealed industry’s progress and challenges in meeting the requirements of the Food Traceability Rule/FSMA 204.

FDA Engages Stakeholders on FSMA 204 Implementation With Questions About Lot-Level Traceability

Fri, 29 May 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The agency has released a discussion paper offering context and questions about the lot-level tracking requirements of the Food Traceability Rule to help shape engagements with industry, including a virtual public meeting in June.

FDA Announces FSMA 204 Compliance Training Through FSPCA

Thu, 21 May 2026 14:30:33 -0400

The Food Traceability Rule training, offered through the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), provides industry participants with foundational knowledge needed to understand and comply with FSMA 204 requirements.

Live from the 2026 Food Safety Summit—Part 2

Thu, 21 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In the second of this two-part episode series recorded live from the show floor of the 2026 Food Safety Summit, we interviewed Summit speakers from the regulatory, nonprofit, and industry spheres about topics discussed during their respective sessions, ingredient and labeling policy, FSMA, food safety culture, and more.

Ladle Launches Mobile Traceability Platform for Multi-Location Foodservice Operations

Mon, 18 May 2026 15:42:58 -0400

TrackAssure captures lot-level records as a byproduct of daily operations, automatically generates FSMA 204-compliant documentation, and delivers audit-ready reports on demand.

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.