The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2026 biennial food facility registration renewal period is now open. Domestic and foreign facilities subject to FDA registration requirements must renew between October 1 and December 31, 2026.
Facilities must complete the renewal even if their information has not changed. A facility that registered or updated its registration earlier in 2026 must also renew during the designated renewal period.
FDA will consider registrations that are not renewed by December 31 to be expired.
Which Facilities Must Renew?
The renewal requirement applies to domestic and foreign facilities required to register with FDA that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States.
Not every food business is required to register. Certain farms, restaurants, retail food establishments and other operations may qualify for exemptions, so companies should confirm whether the requirement applies to their facilities.
For importers, this means looking beyond their own compliance obligations. Foreign manufacturers and other facilities in the supply chain may have separate FDA registration requirements that must remain current.
Why Renewal Matters to Importers
An expired registration can have direct consequences for food entering the United States.
If a foreign facility is required to register but fails to do so, FDA can hold food from that facility at the port of entry or another secure facility. The food generally cannot be delivered to the importer, owner or ultimate consignee until the facility is properly registered and the appropriate registration information is provided.
Facility registration information can also be important to FDA prior notice requirements for imported food.
For importers, the takeaway is straightforward: do not wait until cargo is in transit to discover that a foreign supplier’s FDA registration has expired.
Facilities Should Verify Their Unique Facility Identifier
FDA food facility registrations must include a Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) recognized by the agency. FDA currently recognizes the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as an acceptable UFI.
FDA uses the UFI to verify that the facility-specific address associated with the identifier matches the address associated with the FDA registration.
Facilities should verify their DUNS information early in the renewal process and allow time to address discrepancies with Dun & Bradstreet if necessary.
Foreign Facilities Should Review Their U.S. Agent Information
Foreign food facilities subject to registration requirements must designate a U.S. agent who resides or maintains a place of business in the United States and is physically present in the country.
The U.S. agent serves as a point of contact between FDA and the foreign facility. FDA also verifies that the person identified as the U.S. agent has agreed to serve in that role.
Foreign facilities should confirm that their U.S. agent information is accurate and current and that the designated agent remains prepared to respond to FDA communications.
Importers should not assume they are listed as a foreign facility’s U.S. agent unless that responsibility has been formally established.
Qualified Facilities Have an Additional Requirement
Facilities that meet FDA’s definition of a qualified facility must also submit a Qualified Facility Attestation during the October 1 through December 31 renewal period.
A valid food facility registration is required before the attestation can be submitted.
What Importers Should Do Now
Importers should begin reviewing applicable foreign food facilities in their supply chains rather than waiting until the end of the renewal period.
Key steps include:
- Identify foreign facilities subject to FDA food facility registration requirements.
- Ask those facilities to confirm completion of their 2026 renewal.
- Verify facility name, address and DUNS information are accurate.
- Confirm U.S. agent information is current for foreign facilities.
- Address Qualified Facility Attestation requirements when applicable.
- Build biennial registration verification into supplier compliance procedures.
- Follow up well before December 31, particularly for suppliers with shipments planned for early 2027.
FDA does not charge a fee to register or renew a food facility registration.
Importers should treat registration verification as part of their broader supplier-management and import-compliance process, not simply as an administrative responsibility of the foreign facility.
For additional information, review FDA’s 2026 biennial renewal guidance and Food Facility Registration User Guide.
Contact the Alba team for assistance reviewing FDA registration requirements, coordinating with foreign facilities or addressing food-entry compliance concerns.
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