FDA registrations may be lapsed

Under FSMA, FDA requires food facilities to renew their FDA registrations between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 of each even-numbered year.

After each renewal period ends, FDA removes from its database all registrations that were not renewed, and any facility with a canceled registration must obtain a new FDA registration number. After the 2018 renewal period, FDA removed 20% of registrations for failure to properly renew.

Registrar Corp reports that many facilities do not realize their FDA registration is canceled until they are facing regulatory action, so the corporation is offering to help facilities ensure their registrations were properly renewed and are still in good standing for 2019 at no cost. Visit www.registrarcorp.com/fda-food/registration/verification.

Sharon Spielman is former senior editor of Food Engineering magazine. She has more than 25 years of experience as a writer and editor for a range of trade publications, including those that cover food and beverage processing, restaurants and institutions, chefs, process heating and cooling, finishing, and package converting.