The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its intention to delay the compliance deadline for FSMA 204.
The rules were originally set to take effect on January 20, 2026, but the FDA is now proposing to extend the deadline by 30 months. FSMA 204 (Food Safety Modernization Act, Section 204) aims to enhance food safety in the U.S. by ensuring better traceability in the supply chain for selected high-risk foods – such as fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and certain processed products. Businesses handling these foods will be required to collect, store, and share traceability information throughout the entire distribution chain. More information about FSMA 204 can be found here.
The FDA intends to give stakeholders more time to understand and implement the new requirements effectively. The proposal has been submitted for public comment, and a final decision is expected later this year. A link to the update can be found in the sidebar.
