The FDA food facility registration renewal window opened October 1, 2026 and closes December 31, 2026. Every food facility that is required to register must renew in this window. The FDA will consider the registration of any facility that does not renew by December 31, 2026 to be expired.
Registration renewal happens every two years, in every even-numbered year. This is the 2026 cycle.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Renewal window | October 1 to December 31, 2026 |
| Frequency | Every two years (even-numbered years) |
| Who renews | Owners, operators, or agents in charge of domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for consumption in the United States |
| How to renew | Electronically, through an FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account |
| The FDA’s fee | None. The FDA charges no fee for registration or renewal |
| Required identifier | A unique facility identifier (UFI). The FDA currently recognizes the DUNS number |
| If you miss it | The FDA considers the registration expired |
Who Must Renew
Renewal applies to owners, operators, or agents in charge of a domestic or foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for consumption in the United States, including food for animals.
Some establishments are not required to register, including primary production farms, secondary activities farms, retail food establishments, restaurants, and nonprofit food establishments. Facilities with mixed activities must still register.
What You Need Before You Start
- Your FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account login. Renewal is submitted electronically. Paper submissions are only available to facilities that have received a waiver.
- Your facility’s DUNS number. Registration requires a unique facility identifier acceptable to the FDA, and the FDA recognizes the DUNS number. DUNS numbers are managed by Dun & Bradstreet.
- Current facility information. Facility name, full address, and phone number, plus the owner, operator, or agent in charge name, address, phone number, and email address.
- An inspection assurance. The registration includes a statement that the FDA will be permitted to inspect the facility, and a certification that the information submitted is true and accurate.
- For foreign facilities, your U.S. Agent’s details. Name, full address, phone number, and email address, plus an emergency contact phone number and email address.
- For domestic facilities, an emergency contact phone number and email address if different from the contact person’s email.
How to Renew
- Log in to the Food Facility Registration (FFR) system through your FDA Industry Systems account.
- Choose the biennial registration renewal option from the FFR main menu.
- Select your registration number from the list of registrations due for renewal.
- Review the registration and update any section that needs a change.
- Submit.
If nothing has changed since your last registration, renewal, or update, the regulation allows an abbreviated renewal. You confirm there are no changes and certify that the information is true and accurate.
A person who is not the owner, operator, or agent in charge may submit the renewal if authorized. In that case, the renewal must include a certification of authority and identify the person who authorized the submission.
What Happens If You Miss the December 31 Deadline
- The FDA considers the registration expired, and it is removed from your account.
- A facility whose registration expires is treated as having failed to register. Failing to register is a prohibited act under section 301(dd) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Changes Between Renewals
Registration information must be updated within 60 calendar days of a change, such as a new operator, agent in charge, or U.S. Agent.
A change of ownership works differently. The former owner must cancel the facility’s registration, and the new owner must submit a new registration.
Foreign Facilities and the U.S. Agent
Every foreign facility must provide the name, address, phone number, and email address of its U.S. Agent in its registration. The regulation defines a U.S. Agent as a person residing or maintaining a place of business in the United States whom the foreign facility designates as its agent, acting as the communications link between the FDA and the foreign facility for both emergency and routine communications.
Qualified Facilities: Attestation Due in the Same Window
Qualified facilities must also submit a qualified facility attestation during the same October 1 to December 31 window. A facility must hold a valid food facility registration before submitting the attestation.
Frequently Asked Questions
October 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
Every two years, in every even-numbered year.
No. The FDA charges no fee for registration or renewal.
The FDA considers the registration expired.
Registration requires a unique facility identifier acceptable to the FDA. The FDA currently recognizes the DUNS number.
Yes. A foreign facility’s registration must include the name, address, phone number, and email address of its U.S. Agent.
Yes. An authorized individual can submit it, with a certification of authority that identifies the person who authorized the submission.
Let FDA Entry Point Handle Your Renewal
FDA Entry Point files food facility registration renewals and serves as U.S. Agent for foreign food facilities. Send us your facility details and we will take it from there.
Start your renewal or contact us with questions.
Learn more about food registration renewals and amendments.