FDA Provides Extension for Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) Deadline of Food Facilities

 
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in 2016 that food facilities would be required to have a Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) as part of their FDA registration as part of an update to Food Facility Registration processes. D-U-N-S® numbers are currently the only UFIs accepted by the FDA.
 
Beginning October 1, 2020, facilities were expected to apply UFIs while registering or renewing with FDA. However, FDA granted a 90-day extension from the time a facility registered or renewed to amend its registration with a UFI in December 2020. Industry fears that food facilities would not be able to procure a UFI in a timely manner prompted the extension.
 
The FDA extended the UFI deadline until December 31, 2022 on March 30, 2021. The FDA reported in an email to the business community that the explanation for the extension is that food facilities have continued to complain that obtaining a UFI “has remained difficult.”
 

Do Not Postpone Getting Your UFI

 
Facilities should work with an agent or company that has experience with new FDA food facility registration requirements. Changes to the renewal process this year will impact both US and non-US facilities.
 
Given the long wait times and major obstacles that the industry has experienced in obtaining a UFI, it is wise to start the process as soon as possible to ensure that your FDA Food Facility Registration is updated with a valid UFI as quickly as possible. If you do not update your FDA registration with a valid UFI by the deadline, your registration may be canceled. It is illegal to sell goods in the United States that were produced, processed, packed, or stored in an unregistered facility.
 
If you have doubts about UFI Cosmereg can assist you in each step. For more information just contact us +17273509380 or info@cosmereg.com.