— OPINION — In the landscape of food safety, the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) represents a monumental shift towards preventing contamination rather than merely responding to it. A new element of FSMA is the Food Traceability Final Rule (FSMA 204), which is designed to enhance the ability to track and trace food through the supply chain, with a compliance date of January 2026. Food traceability is not a new concept; it has been a fundamental aspect of food safety practices globally.
The ability to trace food items through the entire supply chain — from farm to table—allows for rapid identification and containment of foodborne illness outbreaks. FSMA 204 is a critical part of this framework, and its successful implementation is paramount for public health. However, recent legislative efforts threaten to undermine these advancements, potentially compromising the safety of our food supply.
The Safe Food Coalition, comprising key food industry stakeholders and consumer protection organizations, has sounded the alarm over two bills in Congress aimed at weakening FSMA 204. These bills, if passed, would significantly dilute the FDA’s ability to trace and manage foodborne illness outbreaks. House Resolution (HR) 7563 – “The Food Traceability Enhancement Act” proposes to ease recordkeeping and traceability lot code (TLC) requirements for restaurants, retail food establishments, and warehouses.
It removes the mandate to maintain and provide TLC information t.