The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its intention to extend the compliance deadline for the Food Traceability Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Originally scheduled for January 20, 2026, this extension gives businesses handling perishable food cargo—including fresh produce, frozen seafood, dairy products, bakery and confectionery, protein (meat, poultry, plant-based alternatives), and other high-value temperature-sensitive goods—more time to meet the enhanced traceability requirements set by the FDA.
At Foodcareplus, we specialize in temperature-controlled logistics for global exporters, ensuring full compliance with U.S. food safety regulations while safeguarding cargo integrity. Our Control Tower & Monitoring Services provide real-time visibility, allowing exporters to closely track perishable shipments and maintain optimal cold chain conditions. This level of precision and control is critical in light of the FDA’s evolving food traceability requirements.
What is the FDA Food Traceability Rule?
The Food Traceability Rule, finalized in November 2022, aims to enhance food safety measures and recall response times by strengthening supply chain transparency. The regulation mandates more detailed tracking and documentation for businesses handling high-risk perishable food categories.
Key requirements include:
- Key Data Elements (KDEs) – Critical shipment details, such as lot codes, origin identification, and handling history.
- Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) – Mandatory checkpoints covering harvesting, packing, cold storage, distribution, and final delivery.
For global exporters, this means adopting real-time tracking systems and improving cold chain documentation to comply with U.S. regulations.
How does this impact perishable cargo logistics?
The compliance extension gives companies handling reefer and frozen shipments additional time to:
- Integrate traceability solutions that align with FDA requirements.
- Optimize logistics workflows for seamless cross-border market entry.
- Enhance temperature-controlled transportation to maintain food quality and safety.
For exporters of fresh produce, seafood, dairy, bakery, confectionery, frozen proteins (meat, poultry, plant-based), and specialty foods, this rule reinforces the need for accurate supply chain coordination. Foodcareplus’ Control Tower & Monitoring Services play a vital role in ensuring that cargo remains compliant, traceable, and fully optimized for U.S. entry.
Foodcareplus: control tower & monitoring for FDA-compliant cold chain logistics
At Foodcareplus, we combine industry expertise with real-time logistics control, ensuring compliance while minimizing risks for perishable food exports. Our solutions include:
- Advanced Control Tower & Monitoring Services – real-time cold chain visibility and cargo tracking.
- End-to-end traceability solutions – full documentation and regulatory compliance.
- Cross-border logistics management – handling U.S. customs clearance and FDA-compliant processes.
- Specialized reefer cargo handling – covering fresh produce, seafood, dairy, bakery, confectionery, frozen proteins, and specialty foods.
