Date of issue: 28 November 2022
Date of effect: 20 January 2026
Reference Number: MAA2022-19
Related MAAs: N/A
Attention:
- Industries—Industry bodies - Seafood Export Consultative Committee, Seafood Trade Advisory Group, Seafood Industry Australia
- Export establishments
- Exporters, AEPI and EXDOC users
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry —central and regional offices
Purpose
- To notify industries of traceability recordkeeping requirements for fish and fish products exported to the United States from 20 January 2026 onwards.
Summary of key points
- On 15 November 2022, the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published its new Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (the Food Traceability Final Rule).
- The new requirements are scheduled to come into force from 20 January 2026.
- Foods subject to the Food Traceability Final Rule appear on the Food Traceability List (FTL) and include fresh (chilled and frozen) finfish and crustaceans.
- While the Food Traceability Final Rule applies to US importers of food, importers may request information from Australian exporters to meet their traceability requirements.
- Under the Food Traceability Final Rule, establishments involved in manufacture, processing, packing, or holding foods on the FTL, must maintain records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs).
- KDEs are specific information for certain critical tracking events in the food’s supply chain. Establishments are required to keep and send forward the information along the supply chain.
- The KDEs required for each establishment will depend on the type of supply chain activities. Examples of KDE include, but not limited to, description of the commodity location, quantity and traceability lot code.
- The department encourages exporters to work with their importers in preparation for the commencement of new traceability requirements and ensure they are keeping records of information that may be required by their importers.
- The department will publish additional market access advice as further information on traceability requirements is received.
Webinar on the new requirements
- On 7 December 2022, FDA will host a free webinar on the Food Traceability Final Rule.
- During the webinar, FDA will provide an overview of the Food Traceability Final Rule, including the foods and entities covered by the rule, explain the exemptions from the rule, and discuss the recordkeeping requirements of the rule. The FDA will answer pre-submitted questions and host a live question and answer session during the webinar.
- Interested exporters can register in the webinar here.
Further information
Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.