Road towards FSMA 204 compliance: Regulatory push to improve food traceability and safety

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) represents a significant shift in how food safety is managed in the United States. One of its key sections, FSMA Section 204, focuses on enhancing food traceability to address foodborne illness outbreaks more effectively. The compliance rules defined in FSMA 204—which were initially set to enter into force in January 2026—will apply from July 2028, placing new requirements on organizations that handle specific food items.

What is FSMA Section 204?

FSMA Section 204, also known as the FDA final rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods, mandates capturing and reporting key data elements (KDEs) for specific foods. The regulation is designed to enable the FDA to identify and remove potentially contaminated food items from the market swiftly, thereby reducing the health risks associated with foodborne illnesses.

Key requirements for organizations involved in the food supply chain

The FSMA Section ...