In a move that could be positive for food and ingredient importers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a proposal to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months to July 20th, 2028.
The Food Traceability Rule sets additional recordkeeping requirements for companies that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods listed on the FDA’s Food Traceability List. These requirements go beyond existing regulations and are intended to enable faster identification and removal of potentially contaminated food from the market — ultimately helping to reduce foodborne illnesses and deaths.
The rule also requires a higher level of coordination across the food supply chain than in the past, including the sharing of accurate data between supply chain partners. The FDA acknowledges that even businesses currently prepared to meet the original January 2026 compliance date face challenges, particularly when reliant on partners who may not be equally ready. By extending the compliance date, the FDA aims to give all covered sectors more time to fully implement the rule’s requirements while still maintaining its commitment to the rule’s public health goals.
You can see the full communication here.
