NGA Statement on FDA’s Decision to Delay Food Traceability Rule

Washington D.C. - The National Grocers Association (NGA), the leading national trade association representing independent supermarket retailers, released the following statement from Stephanie Johnson, NGA Group Vice President, Government Relations and Political Affairs:

"The National Grocers Association (NGA) welcomes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to delay the Food Traceability Rule (21 CFR Part 1) by 30 months beyond its original January 2026 start date.

Disproportionately impacting smaller grocers, the traceability rule's original timeline was nearly impossible to meet across the vast and dynamic food system. It quickly added exorbitant costs and operational complexity, threatening grocers' ability to serve their communities effectively. The FDA's decision to delay compliance provides much-needed relief for independent grocers, who would have been forced to pass these burdensome costs on to consumers.

NGA remains committed to working with the FDA and federal regulators to ensure our nation's food safety policies are fair, effective, and practical for businesses of all sizes."