The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding human and animal food facilities to protect their Food Facility Registration information and FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account credentials from unauthorized access. While this is not a new regulatory requirement, the reminder highlights the importance of maintaining accurate registration records and limiting account access to authorized individuals.
For companies involved in importing food products into the United States, protecting this information is an important part of maintaining compliance and avoiding unnecessary disruptions.
Protecting Your Registration Is Part of Compliance
FDA Food Facility Registration information is used to identify facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food intended for consumption in the United States. Maintaining accurate registration records helps FDA communicate with facilities and supports the agency’s oversight of imported food.
FDA advises facilities to keep login credentials secure and ensure only authorized personnel can access or update registration information. Unauthorized changes could create confusion, delay communications, or complicate regulatory compliance.
Review Who Has Access to Your FDA Account
FDA encourages companies to periodically review who has access to their FDA Industry Systems account and remove access for employees or third parties who no longer need it.
Facilities should also verify that their registration information remains accurate, including facility contact information, ownership details, and U.S. Agent information for foreign facilities. Keeping records current helps reduce the risk of compliance issues if FDA needs to contact a facility or verify registration information during the import process.
A Good Time for a Registration Checkup
Even if your facility’s registration is current, this reminder serves as a good opportunity to review internal processes for managing FDA account access and registration information.
Companies may want to:
- Confirm registration information is accurate and up to date.
- Review who has access to FDA Industry Systems accounts.
- Remove access for former employees or vendors who no longer require it.
- Ensure login credentials are stored securely and shared only with authorized personnel.
Taking these steps can help protect sensitive account information and support uninterrupted import operations.
The FDA’s constituent update serves as a reminder that good account security is an important part of regulatory compliance. While the announcement does not introduce new requirements, maintaining accurate registration information and safeguarding account access can help food importers avoid unnecessary complications.
