Food facilities that manufacture/process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States are required to complete the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) biennial registration renewal process this year between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. Among the facilities required to renew such registrations are grain elevators, feed mills, flour mills, corn and oilseed processors, pet food manufacturers, renderers and others.
The registration renewal process for facilities is completed through the FDA Industry Systems website. FDA has made available a user guide for the 2024 renewal period. Facilities need to be aware that “updating” a registration differs from “renewing” a registration. During the renewal period, facilities will not see the “update” button listed within the Food Facility Registration Module. If a registration is not renewed by Dec. 31, FDA considers the registration expired and will remove it from the account.
Facilities during the registration process are required to include a unique facility identifier (UFI) that is recognized as acceptable by FDA. To date, FDA recognizes the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the only acceptable UFI. The DUNS number is assigned and managed by Dun & Bradstreet. DUNS numbers can be obtained or verified by visiting D&B’s website.
Questions about the facility registration process may be directed to the Food Facility Registration Data Management Support Services by phone at 1-800-216-7331 or 240-247-8804; or by email at FURLS@fda.gov. A reference sheet concerning the DUNS number is available, as well as a Food Facility Biennial Registration Renewal Fact Sheet.