FDA Provides Updated Support Documents for Traceability Rule

FDA provided some updated materials to help companies comply to the Food Traceability Final Rule, that goes into effect on January 20, 2026.  The article in Food Safety Magazine has identified the updated material, but the exact updates are not obvious on the FDA webpage.

This only applies to certain foods that have been judged as having certain risks - Cheeses, shell eggs, nut butters, fresh cucumbers, fresh herbs, fresh and fresh cut leafy greens, fresh melons, fresh peppers, fresh spouts, fresh tomatoes, fresh tropical tree fruits, fresh cut fruits, specific fresh and raw frozen finfish, smoked finfish, fresh and frozen crustaceans and mollusks, RTE deli salads,

One useful addition is the Traceability Plan Example for Restaurants (although it is half example, half explanation, so not really a great example) - https://www.fda.gov/media/174058/download?attachment

https://www.food-safety.com/articles/9065-fda-releases-new-resources-for-food-traceability-final-rule-compliance

FDA Releases New Resources for Food Traceability Final Rule Compliance
By Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team

November 30, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently rolled out additional tools and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) to inform stakeholders about Section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), also known as the Food Traceability Final Rule, and help aid entities with compliance.

The Food Traceability Rule is designed to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and deaths. Foods subject to the final rule’s requirements appear on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

The new resources, which can be found on FDA’s traceability webpage, include:

• A landing page about traceability lot codes, including examples of how Key Data Elements (KDEs) could appear on invoices and bills of lading
• A video highlighting some technological components of product tracing systems
• Examples of a traceability plan
• New FAQs
• New supply chain examples for deli salads
• Information on how to apply for a waiver or exemption, if eligible.

The compliance date for all entities subject to the Food Traceability Final Rule is January 20, 2026. Routine inspections under the Food Traceability Final Rule will not begin until 2027, to give covered entities additional time to work together and ensure that traceability information is being maintained and shared within supply chains per the requirements of the rule.