On November 30 the Food and Drug Administration rolled out new tools and FAQs that will continue to inform stakeholders about the Food Traceability Rule and help covered entities come into compliance.  The rule is a key component of Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This final rule was issued in November 2022 and will cover most growers who sell fresh fruits and vegetables.

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).

Featured in this update are the following:

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

These featured tools are accessible from the FDA’s traceability webpage, along with:

• Supply chain examples for different commodities
• Fact sheets
• Guide to Getting Started with the Food Traceability Rule
• Translations of the codified portion of the rule as well as many of the supporting materials and tools
• Interactive tool that explains Critical Tracking Events and Key Data Elements
• Interactive tool that identifies partial and full exemptions to the rule
• FAQs

The compliance date for all persons subject to the Food Traceability Rule is January 20, 2026. In September, FDA announced that routine inspections under the Food Traceability 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.