Food Traceability Rule Overview: A Guide for Florida Food Industry

Abstract

The FSMA's Traceability Rule, finalized in 2022, aims to establish a comprehensive system for tracking specific foods along the value chain from farm to fork, to prevent and respond to foodborne illnesses more effectively. The industry should implement the rule by 2026. This revision is part of the FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint and implements Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FDA's Final Traceability Rule initially focuses on specific food categories identified as higher risk for contamination and foodborne illnesses. These categories are referred to as the "Food Traceability List" (FTL). In this EDIS publication, we have provided to the food industry background information and an overview of the rule's key components and the foods covered by it. Additionally, available resources have been compiled in a table to help the industry understand the rule better and find more information about it.