In November 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its Final Food Traceability Rule, Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods,¹ as mandated by Congress under FSMA Section 204.

As stated in the rulemaking announcement released by FDA, the Traceability Rule requires companies that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods listed on the Food Traceability List (FTL) to maintain detailed records on their supply chain and suppliers, including "Key Data Elements" (KDEs) about how those supplies are handled and processed. The Traceability Rule regulates processors of foods on the FTL, which include fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, shell eggs, nut butters, ready-to-eat deli salads, cheeses, and seafood products. The Traceability Rule applies to foods on the FTL, but a further stated aim of the rule is to encourage the voluntary adoption of these tracing records for all food products.