2026 FDA Food Facility Registration Renewal
Food facilities that are required to register with FDA must renew their registrations during the October 1–December 31, 2026 biennial renewal period. We review the current record, prepare required corrections, manage the renewal filing, and provide ongoing registration support.
2026 FDA Food Facility Registration Renewal — Quick Facts
The core dates, requirements, fees, and renewal distinctions in one place.
- Official Renewal Window
- October 1–December 31, 2026. Food facilities that are required to register renew during this even-numbered-year window.
- Who Must Renew
- Domestic and foreign food facilities that are required to register under section 415 of the FD&C Act.
- Newly Registered in 2026
- A facility that registers before October 1, 2026 must still renew during the October 1–December 31, 2026 renewal period.
- FDA Government Fee
- $0. FDA does not charge a fee for initial food facility registration, updates, biennial renewal, or cancellation.
- Our Professional Service
- $858/year. Includes Food Facility Registration maintenance and biennial renewal management when due. Foreign facilities also receive U.S. Agent representation.
- Unique Facility Identifier
- A UFI recognized as acceptable by FDA is required. FDA currently recognizes the Dun & Bradstreet DUNS number as an acceptable UFI.
- Foreign Facility U.S. Agent
- Required for a foreign food facility that is required to register.
- Domestic Facility U.S. Agent
- Not required. Domestic facilities use the domestic contact and emergency-contact fields instead.
- Registration Updates
- Most changes to required registration information must be submitted within 60 calendar days of the change.
- If Renewal Is Missed
- A registration that is not renewed by 11:59 PM on December 31 of the even-numbered year is considered expired.
Food Facility Registration Renewal Is Biennial — Not Annual
Section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires food facilities that are required to register with FDA to renew their registrations during October 1 through December 31 of each even-numbered year. The next statutory renewal window is October 1–December 31, 2026.
Renewal is different from updating a registration. Required registration information still needs to be kept current, and most changes must be submitted within 60 calendar days. A facility should not wait for the 2026 renewal window if doing so would miss an applicable update deadline.
- 2026 is an FDA Food Facility Registration renewal year
- The renewal window opens October 1 and closes December 31, 2026
- Both covered domestic and foreign food facilities renew when required
- Foreign facilities must maintain valid U.S. Agent information
- FDA charges no government fee for food facility registration renewal
The 2026 filing window has not opened yet. This is the ideal time to review the existing registration, confirm the UFI/DUNS record, identify required changes, and verify U.S. Agent information for foreign facilities so the renewal is ready for October 1.
Who Must Renew & What Must Be Reviewed?
Renewal applies only to facilities that are required to register. The existing registration should be reviewed before the 2026 renewal is submitted.
Who Must Complete the 2026 Renewal
Covered domestic and foreign food facilities that are required to register under section 415 renew during the 2026 biennial window.
- Food manufacturers, processors, packers, and co-packers when subject to registration
- Covered warehouses and food-holding facilities
- Covered dietary supplement facilities
- Covered animal food and pet food facilities
- Foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for U.S. consumption when required to register
What Should Be Verified Before Renewal
The renewal should accurately reflect the facility's current identity, contacts, activities, food categories, identifier information, and foreign U.S. Agent information where applicable.
- Legal facility name and physical address
- Owner, operator, or agent-in-charge information
- Emergency and routine contact information
- UFI / DUNS information associated with the physical facility
- Food product categories and facility activities
- U.S. Agent information for a foreign food facility
What the $858/Year Food Facility Registration Service Includes
The $858 is our professional service fee. FDA itself charges no government fee for Food Facility Registration renewal.
Food Facility Registration maintenance, renewal management when due, and ongoing compliance support. Foreign facilities also receive U.S. Agent representation.
Included in the active food facility service
The 2026 Renewal Dates That Matter
Keep the renewal cycle separate from update deadlines and professional-service billing.
FDA Food Facility Registration Renewal Cycle
Renewal happens every two years. Required updates continue between renewal windows.
October 1–December 31, 2026: covered facilities complete the biennial renewal.
No biennial renewal window. Keep required registration information accurate and current.
October 1–December 31, 2028: the next biennial renewal period.
No biennial renewal window. Continue required registration maintenance and updates.
FDA states that a facility registering before October 1 during an even-numbered year must still renew during that year's October 1–December 31 renewal period.
Renew Your FDA Food Facility Registration in 4 Clear Steps
We prepare before the window, file during the official window, and maintain the registration afterward.
Review Current Registration
We review the existing facility record, registration status, contacts, UFI/DUNS information, activities, and food categories.
Identify Required Changes
We separate ordinary updates, ownership issues, foreign U.S. Agent changes, and other corrections from the renewal itself.
Submit the 2026 Renewal
When authorized, we submit the biennial renewal through the FDA Food Facility Registration Module during October 1–December 31, 2026.
Maintain the Registration
We retain the renewal record and continue registration-maintenance and compliance support during the active service term.
Why FDA Food Facility Registration Renews Every Two Years
The biennial renewal requirement comes from federal statute and FDA regulations — not from a private registrar.
FD&C Act § 415
Section 415 requires food facilities that are required to register with FDA to submit renewal registrations during October 1–December 31 of each even-numbered year.
FDA Food Facility Registration resources →21 CFR Part 1, Subpart H
The regulation addresses registration, exemptions, UFI information, updates, biennial renewal, cancellation, and related food-facility requirements.
Read 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart H →Food Safety Modernization Act
FSMA amended section 415 to add the biennial renewal requirement and gave FDA registration-suspension authority under specified food-safety circumstances.
FDA FSMA FAQs →FDA Food Facility Renewal — Key Comparisons
Renewal, updates, new registrations, and professional service are separate concepts.
Biennial Renewal vs Registration Update vs New Registration
The correct FDA action depends on what actually changed and the registration's current status.
| Situation | Biennial Renewal | Registration Update | New Registration / Re-Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Continue a current registration during the even-year renewal period. | Change required information on a current registration. | Register a new facility, new ownership, or address an expired registration through the appropriate FDA pathway. |
| Timing | October 1–December 31 of every even-numbered year. | Most required changes are due within 60 calendar days. | When first required, after an ownership change, or when an expired record must be re-registered. |
| New FDA Registration Number? | No new number simply because a current registration is renewed. | Normally remains the same registration record. | May create a new registration record depending on the situation. |
| Ownership Change | Renewal is not a substitute for an ownership-change filing. | A new owner is not handled as an ordinary update. | Former owner cancels; new owner registers the facility. |
Domestic vs Foreign Food Facility Renewal
The renewal window is the same; the U.S. Agent requirement is not.
| Requirement | Domestic Food Facility | Foreign Food Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Renewal Window | October 1–December 31, 2026. | October 1–December 31, 2026. |
| UFI / DUNS | FDA-recognized UFI required; DUNS is currently recognized as acceptable. | Same UFI requirement. |
| U.S. Agent | Not required. | Required for a foreign facility that must register. |
| FDA Government Renewal Fee | $0. | $0; private U.S. Agent and compliance-service fees may apply. |
| If Required Registration Expires | The registration is considered expired and the facility must correct its registration status. | The registration is considered expired; food from a foreign facility required to register but not registered is subject to refusal when offered for import. |
Self-Renew vs FDA Registration Assistance
FDA permits facilities to renew directly. Professional assistance is optional and separate from FDA's no-fee registration system.
| Aspect | Self-Renew with FDA | FDA Registration Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Government Fee | $0. | $0 FDA fee; our annual Food Facility Registration professional service is $858. |
| Applicability Review | You determine whether the facility remains subject to registration and renewal. | We review the facility type, current registration status, and renewal situation. |
| Registration Review | You review the full registration record yourself. | We review the record, contacts, UFI/DUNS information, food categories, activities, and foreign U.S. Agent information where applicable. |
| Required Updates | You determine whether changes must be filed separately or can be addressed with the renewal. | We distinguish the renewal from updates, ownership changes, and other registration actions. |
| Deadline Tracking | You track the October 1–December 31 deadline. | Renewal management is included when due under the active professional service. |
| Foreign U.S. Agent | You maintain your own qualifying U.S. Agent relationship. | U.S. Agent representation is included for foreign food facilities under the Food Facility Registration service. |
Complete Food Registration & Import Compliance Support
Renewal may be one part of a larger FDA food compliance program.
Foreign Food Facility Registration
Registration and U.S. Agent support for covered foreign food facilities exporting food to the United States.
Domestic Food Facility Registration
Registration, updates, and ongoing compliance support for covered U.S. food facilities.
Food Facility U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent representation for foreign food facilities that are required to register with FDA.
DUNS / UFI Assistance
Help obtaining or correcting facility identifier information used for Food Facility Registration.
FSVP Compliance
FSVP program development and management for covered U.S. food importers.
FDA Prior Notice
Preparation and filing of FDA Prior Notice for imported food shipments when required.
Food Label & Ingredient Review
FDA food label, Nutrition Facts, allergen, ingredient, and claims review.
FCE / SID Assistance
Registration and scheduled-process filing support for covered acidified and low-acid canned foods.
Shipment Compliance Consulting
FDA import and shipment compliance support for entry, detention, and registration issues.
Import Alert Assistance
Review Import Alert issues and support an appropriate corrective or removal strategy when available.
Food Compliance Services
Explore Food Facility Registration, U.S. Agent, FSVP, Prior Notice, labeling, FCE/SID, and related services.
Food Facility Registration Renewal Terms Explained
Key terms used in FDA's Food Facility Registration system and renewal guidance.
The FDA registration framework for covered domestic and foreign food facilities under section 415 of the FD&C Act.
The FDA Industry Systems module used to register, update, renew, cancel, and manage food facility registrations.
Food Facility Registration renewal takes place October 1–December 31 of every even-numbered year.
An identifier recognized as acceptable by FDA that must be included with the food facility registration submission.
The identifier FDA currently recognizes as an acceptable UFI for Food Facility Registration.
A separate function from renewal. Most required changes must be submitted within 60 calendar days.
A U.S.-based person or entity designated by a foreign food facility for purposes of the Food Facility Registration regulation.
FDA considers a required registration expired when the even-year renewal is not completed by the deadline.
FDA's online account environment used to access Food Facility Registration and other industry systems.
A pathway used when a previously registered facility has passed the renewal deadline or otherwise needs a new registration rather than a normal renewal.
Common 2026 Food Facility Renewal Problems
These issues can delay or complicate a renewal and should be addressed before the deadline.
Waiting Until December 31
Last-minute account-access, UFI, or registration problems leave little time to correct the record before the deadline.
Confusing Renewal With an Update
Renewal does not erase the 60-calendar-day rule that applies to most required registration changes.
UFI / Address Mismatch
The facility-specific address associated with the UFI should correspond to the physical facility address used in the FDA registration.
Inactive or Wrong U.S. Agent
A foreign facility should verify that its designated U.S. Agent information is accurate and the relationship is active.
Ownership Change Treated as Renewal
A new owner should not simply renew the prior owner's registration. Ownership changes require cancellation and new registration steps.
Lost FIS / FURLS Access
Account-access problems should be addressed before the renewal deadline rather than creating a duplicate registration.
Sharing FDA Credentials
FDA's July 2026 advisory warns facilities to protect FFR numbers, PINs, and FIS/FURLS account credentials from misuse.
Treating Renewal as FDA Approval
Registration and renewal are regulatory filings; they are not FDA approval, certification, clearance, or endorsement of the facility or its products.
2026 FDA Food Facility Registration Renewal FAQs
Direct answers about the 2026 renewal period, deadlines, UFI/DUNS, U.S. Agents, updates, expired registrations, fees, and renewal support.
The 2026 biennial renewal period runs from October 1 through December 31, 2026. Food facilities that are required to register under section 415 of the FD&C Act renew during this window because 2026 is an even-numbered year.
No. Food Facility Registration renews every two years, during October 1 through December 31 of each even-numbered year. An annual professional service agreement is separate from FDA's biennial renewal requirement.
Domestic and foreign food facilities that are required to register under section 415 of the FD&C Act must renew during the 2026 biennial renewal period. Facilities that are exempt from registration do not become subject merely because it is a renewal year.
Yes. FDA states that if a facility registers before October 1 during an even-numbered year, the facility must still renew during that year's October 1 through December 31 renewal period.
FDA states that a required registration not renewed by 11:59 PM on December 31 of the even-numbered year is considered expired and removed from the account.
No. FDA charges no government fee for the initial registration, update, biennial renewal, or cancellation of a food facility registration. Private compliance and U.S. Agent providers may charge professional service fees.
FDA Registration Assistance charges $858 per year for its professional Food Facility Registration service. Renewal management is included when due, along with registration maintenance and ongoing compliance support. Foreign food facilities also receive U.S. Agent representation. FDA itself charges $0 for Food Facility Registration renewal.
Yes. A foreign food facility that is required to register must designate and maintain a U.S. Agent in the United States as part of its Food Facility Registration.
No. The food-facility U.S. Agent requirement applies to foreign facilities. Domestic facilities provide the required domestic contact and emergency-contact information instead.
A Food Facility Registration submission must include a Unique Facility Identifier recognized as acceptable by FDA. FDA currently recognizes the Dun & Bradstreet DUNS number as an acceptable UFI.
No. FDA specifically distinguishes renewal from an update. Renewal is the biennial action required during October through December of even-numbered years. Most changes to required registration information must be updated within 60 calendar days.
Only if doing so would still satisfy the applicable update deadline. Most required registration changes must be submitted within 60 calendar days, so a facility should not wait for renewal if that would miss the deadline.
A change in ownership is not handled as a normal update or renewal. The prior owner cancels the old registration and the new owner registers the facility.
FDA does not issue a new registration number simply because a current Food Facility Registration is renewed through the biennial process.
The statutory 2026 renewal period begins October 1. Before the window opens, you can review the existing registration, verify the UFI/DUNS record, identify required updates, and confirm U.S. Agent information for a foreign facility.
Review the legal facility name, physical and mailing addresses, owner/operator or agent-in-charge information, emergency contacts, trade names, food product categories, facility activities, UFI/DUNS information, and U.S. Agent information for a foreign facility.
Yes. FDA permits the owner, operator, or agent in charge to authorize another individual to submit the Food Facility Registration renewal on the facility's behalf. FDA does not require the use of a third-party registrar.
FDA states that food facilities do not need a certificate of registration and FDA does not issue or recognize a private Food Facility Registration certificate as an FDA certificate.
No. Food Facility Registration and renewal do not constitute FDA approval, certification, clearance, or endorsement of the facility or its food products.
Yes. If a foreign food facility is required to register but is not registered, food from that facility offered for import into the United States is subject to refusal under section 801(l) of the FD&C Act.
A warehouse that is required to register because it holds food for U.S. consumption must renew during the biennial renewal period. Whether a particular warehouse is required to register depends on its activities and any applicable exemption.
Dietary supplements are regulated as food for purposes of Food Facility Registration. A dietary supplement facility that is required to register must complete the biennial renewal.
Restaurants and retail food establishments that meet the applicable exemption are not required to register and therefore do not have a Food Facility Registration renewal obligation.
For routine cases, our typical preparation target is 24–48 hours after complete facility information and required authorization are available. The actual renewal submission must occur during the official October 1 through December 31 renewal window.
Do not create a duplicate registration simply because account credentials are unavailable. FDA provides account and registration-access procedures, and access issues should be addressed before the renewal deadline.
FDA's July 20, 2026 advisory says facilities should protect Food Facility Registration information from potential misuse and says FIS/FURLS usernames and passwords should not be shared. Account holders can create subaccounts when additional authorized personnel need system access.
A foreign facility can change its U.S. Agent information, but the registration information must remain accurate and the agent relationship should be properly established. FDA Registration Assistance can review the existing registration and coordinate U.S. Agent representation under its Food Facility Registration service.
A timely 2026 renewal continues a current registration during the official renewal window. If a required registration has already expired because a prior renewal was missed, the correct re-registration pathway should be used rather than treating the record as a normal current renewal.
No. Food Facility Registration and FSVP are separate requirements. Food Facility Registration applies to covered physical facilities; FSVP applies to the FDA-defined importer of covered imported food, subject to exemptions and modified requirements.
No. Prior Notice and Food Facility Registration are separate FDA requirements. Imported food may require Prior Notice, while covered food facilities must maintain their registration and renew biennially when required.
Prepare Your 2026 FDA Food Facility Renewal
Send us the facility information you have now. We can review the current registration before October 1 and prepare the renewal for filing during the official 2026 renewal window.