The United States introduced the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011 to regulate the production and distribution of food.

In 2023, the FDA issued its Food Traceability Final Rule (the Final Rule). The Final Rule implements Section 204 of the FSMA which requires people who manufacture, pack, process or hold foods on the Food Traceability List to maintain records containing information on critical tracking events in the supply chain.

The Final Rule will come into full effect on January 20, 2026.

FSMA: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-111publ353/pdf/PLAW-111publ353.pdf

Food Traceability Final Rule: http://federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/21/2022-24417/requirements-for-additional-traceability-records-for-certain-foods

Food Traceability List: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/food-traceability-list