Unpacking the FSMA Rule 204 Extension Proposal

The FDA proposes a 30-month extension to the FSMA Rule 204 compliance deadline, moving it to July 20, 2028. What does this mean for restaurant operators? To understand the current landscape and what operators need to do to prepare, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Jeff Cowan, Senior Director of Customer Success at GS1 US, the  neutral, not-for-profit standards organization. For additional background on the topic, read Cowan's FSMA Rule 204 Food Safety Countdown: What Restaurant Managers Need to Know Now.

What is the current status of FSMA Rule 204 implementation and what are the reasons around the call for a 30-month extension?FSMA Rule 204 — the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule — officially took effect November 21, 2022 with an original compliance date of January 20, 2026. In late July, the FDA proposed a 30-month extension, which would move that date to July 20, 2028. The extension was proposed in recognition that meeting the requirements is a big…