Food Traceability

Understanding the FDA Food Traceability Rule

The FDA Food Traceability Rule is one of the most significant food safety regulations to come out of FSMA—and it’s changing how certain foods are tracked across the supply chain. Whether you are a processor, manufacturer, distributor, or restaurant, now is the time to understand what this rule means for your operation and how to prepare.

What Is the Food Traceability Rule?

The Food Traceability Rule requires companies that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) to maintain specific records that allow rapid identification of a product’s movement through the supply chain. The goal is simple but critical: faster and more accurate traceback during foodborne illness outbreaks, reducing public health risks and limiting unnecessary product recalls.

Who Is Impacted?

The rule applies to operations that handle foods on the FTL, as well as businesses that are required to maintain traceability records due to customer or distributor requirements. Even companies that believe they are exempt may still need traceability systems in place to meet downstream expectations.

What Will the Training Cover?

The FDA-recognized FSMA Food Traceability Rule training is designed to provide practical, real-world guidance—not just regulatory language. Participants can expect to learn:

How to determine if their products fall under the Food Traceability List
Key data elements (KDEs) required at each critical tracking event (CTE)
Recordkeeping requirements for processors, manufacturers, harvesters, and restaurants
How traceability applies to transformations, commingling, and kill steps
Best practices for organizing records to meet FDA expectations during inspections

This is not a “check-the-box” course—it is a deep dive into how traceability needs to be documented according to FDA.

Training Length & Timeline

The Food Traceability Rule course is projected to be at least 1.5 days long, reflecting the depth and complexity of the rule and its application across the supply chain. Training materials are expected to be finalized by February 2026, with the first official courses opening shortly thereafter.

FSQS: Among the First to Offer This Training

Food Safety & Quality Services (FSQS) is proud to be among the first organizations to offer FDA-recognized Food Traceability Rule training. Our instructors bring hands-on industry experience and practical insight to help participants not only understand the rule—but confidently implement it.

As traceability expectations increase, early preparation will be key. Companies that invest in training now will be better positioned to comply, protect their brand, and respond quickly during a traceback event.

Stay Ahead of the Rule

If your operation handles foods on the Food Traceability List—or is impacted by customer or distributor requirements—this training will be essential. FSQS will be opening enrollment for the first courses as soon as they become available.

Contact FSQS today to be placed on the waiting list and stay ahead of the Food Traceability Rule.

About the author

Lance Roberie

Food Safety Consultant and Trainer

Lance Roberie has over 26 years of quality assurance and food safety experience within the food industry. Mr. Roberie holds the following certifications:

Certified Food Safety HACCP Manager
Preventative Controls for Human Foods (PCQI) Lead Instructor
Meat & Poultry and Seafood HACCP Lead Instructor
FSPCA Food Defense (IAVA) Lead Instructor
ASQ Certified Manager of Quality & Organizational Excellence
ServSafe Instructor and Exam Proctor
Internal Auditor and GFSI Specialist

Lance and the Food Safety & Quality Services’ training curriculum will advance your team's food safety knowledge through certified training, consulting, and “real life” industry scenarios.