PAGE HEADER FOOD SAFETY: ARE YOU PREPARED FOR 2026?
Uniform compliance date for final food labeling regulations announced
January 1, 2028 has been announced as the FDA’s uniform compliance date for all final labeling rules published in 2025 and 2026. The date has been set to enable manufacturers to have one compliance date for industry-wide consistency, streamline planning and to simplify project management.
Food Safety: Are You Prepared for 2026?
Gary Wills, Global Director--Consumer, Retail & Food, BSI In the food sector, it’s important to always have a close eye on the future. After all, to prepare for what’s coming, you’ve got to know what’s around the corner, particularly when it comes to regulatory changes.
The coming 12 months are going to be busy, so BSI’s Global Director, Consumer, Retail and Food, Gary Wills, gives us the lowdown on five things that need to be on your radar for 2026.
The FDA Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) implementation extended to
July 2028 The Food & Drug Administration (FDA)’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 – a.k.a. The Food Traceability Rule – was due to come into force in January 2026, but has now been extended to July 28, 2028.
There’s a huge opportunity for businesses to use the coming months to get ahead of the legislation and prepare for what’s next.
At its heart, the Food Traceability Rule says that people who manufacture, process, pack, or hold high-risk foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) – including leafy greens, soft cheeses, shellfish, fresh tropical tree fruits, fresh cut fruit, and ready-to-eat deli salads – must maintain records containing key data elements (KDEs) associated with specific Critical Tracking Events (CTEs).
A key part of this is having a traceability plan for all persons covered by the rule. The traceability plan includes a range of information, including descriptions of procedures, how you identify foods, assign traceability lot codes, and farm maps.
While the implementation of Rule 204 has been pushed back two and a half years, manufacturers should start addressing its requirements now. Ensure you know what your obligations are, and begin proactively addressing requirements – including training your employees, implementing technology and standardizing processes – because July 2028 will be here before you know it.
To prepare, manufacturers will need to audit current labels to understand which products may be affected, monitor FDA updates for new regulations published in 2026, develop a labeling strategy, and focus on earlier compliance as, the FDA encourages businesses to comply with new labeling regulations as quickly as possible.
EU listeria regulation effective
July 1, 2026 If you are exporting food to the European Union (EU), products must meet the EU Regulation 2024/2895 Listeria Regulation, which comes into effect on July 1, 2026.
Under the new rules, ready-to-eat foods that support the growth of listeria monocytogenes must either meet the legal microbiological criterion of not detected in 25g – which will now apply for the entire shelf life of the product, and not just while it is under the control of the manufacturer (as it did previously) – or demonstrate levels will not exceed 100 cfu/g throughout the product’s shelf life.
Companies exporting ready-to-eat products to the EU need to implement a range of processes, including routine sampling and batch testing, validating shelf life studies, establishing a robust Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan, and identifying any country-specific nuances. It’s important to work with importers and agents to prepare documentation to access EU markets by July 1, 2026.
WHAT’S IN STORE | 2026 © 2026 International Dairy Deli Bakery Association
Industry Landscape
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