Food Facility Biennial Registration: Oct–Dec Even-Year Renewal Guide
Introduction
If you operate a food facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for U.S. consumption, you need to know about the Food Facility Biennial Registration renewal process. This FDA requirement isn’t just another bureaucratic hoop—it’s a crucial component of the U.S. food safety system that helps protect consumers and keeps your business legally compliant.
Every even-numbered year, food facilities must renew their registrations during a specific three-month window. Missing this deadline isn’t just an administrative oversight—it can have serious legal and financial consequences for your business.
Registration Requirement
Definition of Food Facilities
The FDA defines a “food facility” as any establishment that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for human or animal consumption in the United States. This includes:
- ✔️ Food manufacturers and processors
- ✔️ Warehouses and cold storage facilities
- ✔️ Packagers and repackagers
- ✔️ Foreign facilities that export food to the U.S.
Some operations are exempt, including farms, retail food establishments, restaurants, nonprofit food establishments, fishing vessels, and facilities regulated exclusively by USDA.
Registration Mandate
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires all food facilities to register with the FDA and renew that registration every two years. This requirement helps the FDA:
- ✔️ Maintain an accurate inventory of food facilities
- ✔️ Quickly identify the source of potential foodborne illness outbreaks
- ✔️ Contact facilities during emergencies
- ✔️ Conduct inspections more efficiently
Renewal Period
Timeline for Renewal
The Food Facility Biennial Registration renewal period runs from October 1 to December 31 in even-numbered years. Mark your calendars for 2024, 2026, and beyond—these are non-negotiable deadlines set by federal law.
Importance of Timely Renewal
Renewing on time isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. If you miss the December 31 deadline, your registration is considered expired, and the FDA may consider your facility to be operating unlawfully. This means:
- ✔️ Your products may be detained at ports of entry
- ✔️ You may face enforcement actions
- ✔️ Your business operations could be significantly disrupted
Setting automatic calendar reminders for September can help you prepare for the renewal period.
How to Renew
Accessing the FURLS System
Renewing your Food Facility Biennial Registration involves logging into the FDA’s Food Facility Registration Module (FFRM) within the FDA Unified Registration and Listing System (FURLS). Here’s how:
- ✔️ Go to the FDA Industry Systems page
- ✔️ Select the FFRM system
- ✔️ Log in using your existing account credentials
- ✔️ If you’ve forgotten your password, use the password reset option
New users will need to create an account first by selecting “Create New Account” and following the prompts.
Updating Facility Information
During renewal, you must update or confirm all facility information, including:
- ✔️ Facility name, address, and contact details
- ✔️ Parent company information (if applicable)
- ✔️ Emergency contact information
- ✔️ Food product categories
- ✔️ Type of activity conducted at the facility
- ✔️ Certification that the information is true and accurate
Tips for Accurate Submission
When renewing your Food Facility Biennial Registration online:
- ✔️ Have your existing registration number ready
- ✔️ Review all information carefully before submission
- ✔️ Take screenshots or save confirmation pages
- ✔️ Print a copy of your updated registration for your records
- ✔️ Save electronic copies in a secure but accessible location
New Facilities
Registration Outside Renewal Period
New food facilities don’t need to wait for the biennial renewal period—they can register at any time throughout the year. The registration process for new facilities is similar to the renewal process, but requires additional information about the facility’s operations.
Renewal Obligation for New Facilities
Even if you’ve just registered your facility, you must still participate in the biennial renewal process during the next October-December window in an even-numbered year. For example, a facility that registers in March 2023 must still renew during October-December 2024.
Consequences of Non-Renewal
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Failing to renew your Food Facility Biennial Registration can result in:
- ✔️ Your facility being considered “unregistered” with the FDA
- ✔️ Your food products being deemed misbranded under federal law
- ✔️ Possible refusal of food shipments at U.S. ports of entry
- ✔️ Potential prohibition from importing or exporting food products
Potential Actions by the FDA
The FDA has broad authority to enforce registration requirements, including:
- ✔️ Issuing Warning Letters
- ✔️ Detaining products at ports of entry
- ✔️ Requiring product recalls
- ✔️ Seeking injunctions to prevent further violations
- ✔️ Imposing civil monetary penalties
Additional Information
Checking Registration Status
If you’re unsure about your facility’s registration status, you can:
- ✔️ Log into the FFRM system
- ✔️ Check your registration status under “Registration Status”
- ✔️ Verify your renewal date on your registration information
Importance of Tracking Deadlines
Consider these strategies for staying on top of Food Facility Biennial Registration requirements:
- ✔️ Assign specific team members to oversee FSVP compliance
- ✔️ Set up automatic calendar reminders for the following renewal period
- ✔️ Create a compliance checklist that includes regular status checks
- ✔️ Subscribe to FDA email updates on food facility registration requirements
Support and Questions
Resources Available from the FDA
The FDA offers several resources to help with the registration process:
- ✔️ Online guidance documents
- ✔️ Industry guidance documents
- ✔️ Technical support via phone and email
- ✔️ Webinars during renewal periods
Seeking Professional Assistance
Many facilities find value in working with FDA compliance experts who can:
- ✔️ Guide you through the registration process
- ✔️ Ensure all information is accurate and complete
- ✔️ Help you understand changing regulatory requirements
- ✔️ Resolve registration issues that may arise
Staying compliant with Food Facility Biennial Registration requirements is essential for maintaining your ability to operate legally in the U.S. food market. While the process may seem straightforward, mistakes or oversights can have serious consequences for your business.
Need help navigating FDA registration requirements for your food facility? Global Import Agent‘s team of FDA compliance experts can manage your Food Facility Biennial Registration renewal process from start to finish. We understand the nuances of FDA regulations and can help ensure your facility stays compliant without disruption to your operations. Our affordable registration services include verification of all facility information, timely submission of renewal applications, and ongoing support for any FDA questions that arise.
For further support, contact us today for a free consultation about your food facility registration needs and discover how our specialized expertise can save you time, prevent costly mistakes, and give you peace of mind about your FDA compliance status.
