On Feb. 19, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced agency actions that relate to the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204(d) food tracing requirement.

First, the FDA announcement referenced an updated frequently asked question guidance document to respond to questions asked by industry stakeholders about the FSMA Section 204(d) regulation. The FDA is requesting comments from the public about the guidance document. The deadline to submit comments about the guidance document is May 21, 2026. Also, under the Table of Contents in the guidance document, Section G (Transformation of a Food on the Food Traceability List) and Section I (Recordkeeping) have questions and proposed FDA responses that are applicable to distributors. For a copy of the guidance document, click here.

Second, the FDA announcement reiterated the agency’s plan to conduct a series of quarterly listening sessions with public stakeholders, including food supply chain companies. CDA reported last week that the association will be participating in the first such FDA FSMA listening session on March 6, 2026. These listening sessions will provide an opportunity for the FDA to engage with regulated companies and trade associations to better understand industry concerns and challenges about and flexible solutions to allow compliance with FSMA Section 204(d). The FDA will announce the dates of the other quarterly listening sessions as they are scheduled.

Read the FDA FSMA announcement here.