FDA Announces Human Food Program FY25 Priority Deliverables

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published its Human Food Program (HFP) FY 2025 Priority Deliverables, establishing the agency’s primary objectives for food safety and traceability in the coming year. The priorities underscore the FDA’s ongoing efforts under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including targeted actions to support compliance with FSMA Section 204, the food traceability rule, which aims to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to foodborne illness outbreaks.

The FSMA 204 food traceability rule, with a compliance date of January 2026, is a central focus of the FDA’s 2025 deliverables. This rule requires the tracking of specific high-risk foods throughout the supply chain, a measure designed to help identify and trace sources of foodborne contamination more efficiently. In the FY 2025 deliverables, the FDA outlines several key objectives related to FSMA 204 compliance:

• Supporting Implementation Readiness: The FDA will provide additional guidance documents to clarify compliance requirements under FSMA 204. The agency plans to work with industry stakeholders to address anticipated challenges and facilitate a smoother transition toward standardized digital record-keeping. GCCA continues to work with FDA and industry partners to address concerns with the regulation and press for FDA to engage with industry on pilots and delay the compliance deadline.
• Promoting Data Standardization and Technology Adoption: With effective traceability hinging on compatible digital systems, the FDA’s goals include encouraging the adoption of standardized data systems. This would enable efficient data exchange across the supply chain, which can be crucial in addressing foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Engaging Stakeholders through Training and Outreach: To further support industry readiness, the FDA will continue to engage in education and outreach efforts, including consultations, workshops, and webinars. These initiatives aim to ensure that industry members have a comprehensive understanding of FSMA 204 requirements and are equipped to meet them.

The FDA’s FY 2025 priorities extend beyond traceability, with goals that also include enhancing outbreak response, advancing oversight of new food technologies, and ensuring the safety of imported foods. These areas reflect broader objectives within the Human Food Program to address food safety in an evolving regulatory landscape.