U.S. FDA Announces Extension of Compliance Date for Food Traceability Rule

On March 20, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intent to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months. The formal extension process will be carried out through the publication of a proposed rule in the Federal Register at a later date.

The FDA stressed that the extension does not change the requirements of the final rule, but rather allows additional time for enterprises to achieve full supply chain coordination, ensuring effective implementation of the rule and greater transparency in food safety. The rule applies to enterprises that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the Food Traceability List and proposes more stringent record-keeping requirements than existing regulations. Due to the complexity of data sharing and coordination among different actors in the food industry, some enterprises expressed concerns about the original January 2026 compliance deadline. In response, the FDA decided to provide more time for all regulated industries to complete compliance.

During this extended period, the FDA will continue to work with industry stakeholders to facilitate cross-industry dialogue, address implementation challenges, and provide technical support and related tools to help enterprises comply. The final rule, issued in 2022 under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, applies to all domestic and foreign enterprises that supply food to the U.S. market.