Is your food on the Food Traceability List?
FDA's Food Traceability List names the foods that need extra records under FSMA section 204: certain cheeses, shell eggs, nut butters, fresh produce, seafood and ready-to-eat deli salads. Type a food to see whether it is on the list, excluded or exempt, with FDA's own wording. Congress has directed FDA not to enforce the rule before 20 July 2028. Checked against FDA and eCFR on 6 November 2026.
Result
Four rules that decide most cases
- FSMA 204 records apply to foods on FDA's Food Traceability List and to foods that contain them as ingredients, as long as the listed food stays in the same form, for example fresh.
- On FDA's Food Traceability List, fresh and fresh-cut do not include previously frozen forms of the food.
- Produce on FDA's exhaustive rarely-consumed-raw list in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1), such as dill, collards and figs, is exempt from the Food Traceability Rule under 21 CFR 1.1305(e).
- FDA updates the Food Traceability List through two Federal Register notices; additions take effect two years after the second notice unless stated otherwise, and deletions take effect immediately.
The full Food Traceability List
All 23 entries, with FDA's descriptions as published (FDA page current as of 24 July 2026). Foods for animals are not on the list and are not covered by the rule.
Cheese
| On the list | FDA description |
|---|---|
| Cheese (made from pasteurized milk), fresh soft or soft unripened | Includes soft unripened/fresh soft cheeses. Examples include, but are not limited to, cottage, chevre, cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, queso blanco, queso fresco, queso de crema, and queso de puna. Does not include cheeses that are frozen or previously frozen, shelf stable at ambient temperature, or aseptically processed and packaged. FDA footnote: IMS listed Grade “A” cottage cheese is exempt from the requirements of the rule. |
| Cheese (made from pasteurized milk), soft ripened or semi-soft | Includes soft ripened/semi-soft cheeses. Examples include, but are not limited to, brie, camembert, feta, mozzarella, taleggio, blue, brick, fontina, monterey jack, and muenster. Does not include cheeses that are frozen or previously frozen, shelf stable at ambient temperature, or aseptically processed and packaged. |
| Cheese (made from unpasteurized milk), other than hard cheese | Includes all cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, other than hard cheeses. Does not include cheeses that are frozen or previously frozen, shelf stable at ambient temperature, or aseptically processed and packaged. |
Eggs
| On the list | FDA description |
|---|---|
| Shell eggs | Shell egg means the egg of the domesticated chicken. Includes products (whether fresh or frozen) that contain raw, unpasteurized eggs as ingredients. |
Nut butters
| On the list | FDA description |
|---|---|
| Nut butters | Includes all types of tree nut and peanut butters. Includes all forms of nut butters, including shelf stable, refrigerated, frozen, and previously frozen products. Examples include, but are not limited to, almond, cashew, chestnut, coconut, hazelnut, peanut, pistachio, and walnut butters. Does not include soy or seed butters. |
Produce
| On the list | FDA description |
|---|---|
| Cucumbers (fresh) | Includes all varieties of fresh cucumbers. |
| Herbs (fresh) | Includes all types of fresh herbs. Examples include, but are not limited to, parsley, cilantro, and basil. Herbs listed in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1), such as dill, are exempt from the requirements of the rule under 21 CFR 1.1305(e). |
| Leafy greens (fresh) | Includes all types of fresh leafy greens. Examples include, but are not limited to, arugula, baby leaf, butter lettuce, chard, chicory, endive, escarole, green leaf, iceberg lettuce, kale, red leaf, pak choi/bok choi, Romaine, sorrel, spinach, and watercress. Does not include whole head cabbages such as green cabbage, red cabbage, or savoy cabbage. Does not include banana leaf, grape leaf, and leaves that are grown on trees. Leafy greens listed in § 112.2(a)(1), such as collards, are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e). |
| Leafy greens (fresh-cut) | Includes all types of fresh-cut leafy greens, including single and mixed greens. |
| Melons (fresh) | Includes all types of fresh melons. Examples include, but are not limited to, cantaloupe, honeydew, muskmelon, and watermelon. |
| Peppers (fresh) | Includes all varieties of fresh peppers. |
| Sprouts (fresh) | Includes all varieties of fresh sprouts (irrespective of seed source), including single and mixed sprouts. Examples include, but are not limited to, alfalfa sprouts, allium sprouts, bean sprouts, broccoli sprouts, clover sprouts, radish sprouts, alfalfa & radish sprouts, and other fresh sprouted grains, nuts, and seeds. |
| Tomatoes (fresh) | Includes all varieties of fresh tomatoes. |
| Tropical tree fruits (fresh) | Includes all types of fresh tropical tree fruit. Examples include, but are not limited to, mango, papaya, mamey, guava, lychee, jackfruit, and starfruit. Does not include non-tree fruits such as bananas, pineapple, dates, soursop, jujube, passionfruit, Loquat, pomegranate, and sapodilla. Does not include tree nuts such as coconut. Does not include pit fruits such as avocado. Does not include citrus, such as orange, clementine, tangerine, mandarins, lemon, lime, citron, grapefruit, kumquat, and pomelo. Tropical tree fruits listed in § 112.2(a)(1), such as figs, are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e). |
| Fruits (fresh-cut) | Includes all types of fresh-cut fruits. Fruits listed in § 112.2(a)(1) are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e). |
| Vegetables other than leafy greens (fresh-cut) | Includes all types of fresh-cut vegetables other than leafy greens. Vegetables listed in § 112.2(a)(1) are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e). |
Seafood
| On the list | FDA description |
|---|---|
| Finfish, histamine-producing species (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen) | Includes all histamine-producing species of finfish. Examples include, but are not limited to, tuna, mahi mahi, mackerel, amberjack, jack, swordfish, and yellowtail. |
| Finfish, species potentially contaminated with ciguatoxin (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen) | Includes all finfish species potentially contaminated with ciguatoxin. Examples include, but are not limited to, grouper, barracuda, and snapper. |
| Finfish, species not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen) | Includes all species of finfish not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin. Examples include, but are not limited to, cod, haddock, Alaska pollock, salmon, tilapia, and trout. Siluriformes fish, such as catfish, are not included. |
| Smoked finfish (refrigerated, frozen, and previously frozen) | Includes all types of smoked finfish, including cold smoked finfish and hot smoked finfish. |
| Crustaceans (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen) | Includes all crustacean species. Examples include but are not limited to shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish. |
| Molluscan shellfish, bivalves (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen) | Includes all species of bivalve mollusks. Examples include, but are not limited to, oysters, clams, and mussels. Does not include scallop adductor muscle. Raw bivalve molluscan shellfish that are (1) covered by the requirements of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program; (2) subject to the requirements of 21 CFR part 123, subpart C, and 21 CFR 1240.60; or (3) covered by a final equivalence determination by FDA for raw bivalve molluscan shellfish are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(f). |
Deli salads
| On the list | FDA description |
|---|---|
| Ready-to-eat deli salads (refrigerated) | Includes all types of refrigerated ready-to-eat deli salads, including ready-to-eat deli salads that are frozen at some point in the supply chain prior to retail. Examples include, but are not limited to, egg salad, potato salad, pasta salad, and seafood salad. Does not include meat salads. |
Rarely consumed raw: exempt produce
The exhaustive list in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1): Asparagus; beans, black; beans, great Northern; beans, kidney; beans, lima; beans, navy; beans, pinto; beets, garden (roots and tops); beets, sugar; cashews; cherries, sour; chickpeas; cocoa beans; coffee beans; collards; corn, sweet; cranberries; dates; dill (seeds and weed); eggplants; figs; ginger; hazelnuts; horseradish; lentils; okra; peanuts; pecans; peppermint; potatoes; pumpkins; squash, winter; sweet potatoes; water chestnuts.
Who is exempt, even for listed foods
Being on the list does not mean every business that handles the food keeps the records. 21 CFR 1.1305 sets out full and partial exemptions:
- § 1.1305(a) Certain small producers: produce farms with no more than $25,000 a year in produce sales and market value over the previous 3 years (adjusted for inflation from 2020), farms not covered by the Produce Safety Rule, and shell egg producers with fewer than 3,000 laying hens at a farm.
- § 1.1305(b) Farms, for food they produce and sell or donate directly to consumers.
- § 1.1305(c) Certain food produced and packaged on a farm.
- § 1.1305(d) Foods that receive certain types of processing, including a kill step (full or partial exemption).
- § 1.1305(e) Produce on the rarely-consumed-raw list in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1).
- § 1.1305(f) Raw bivalve molluscan shellfish covered by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program or equivalent FDA rules.
- § 1.1305(g) Persons who manufacture, process, pack or hold certain foods regulated by USDA.
- § 1.1305(h) Commingled raw agricultural commodities (partial).
- § 1.1305(i) Small retail food establishments and small restaurants.
- § 1.1305(j) Retail food establishments and restaurants buying directly from a farm (partial).
- § 1.1305(k) Retail food establishments and restaurants making certain purchases from another retail food establishment or restaurant (partial).
For firms that are covered: Under FSMA 204 a traceability lot code is assigned at initial packing, first land-based receiving or transformation, and travels with the food. Firms covered by FSMA 204 must give FDA their traceability records within 24 hours of a request, as an electronic sortable spreadsheet in an outbreak or recall.
Common foods, answered
Is avocado on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover avocado (checked against “Tropical tree fruits (fresh)”). Pit fruits such as avocado are not included.
Is bananas on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover bananas (checked against “Tropical tree fruits (fresh)”). Non-tree fruits are not included in tropical tree fruits.
Is pineapple on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover pineapple (checked against “Tropical tree fruits (fresh)”). Non-tree fruits are not included in tropical tree fruits.
Is oranges on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover oranges (checked against “Tropical tree fruits (fresh)”). Citrus is not included.
Is cabbage on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover cabbage (checked against “Leafy greens (fresh)”). Whole head cabbages such as green, red or savoy cabbage are not included.
Is tomatoes on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers tomatoes under “Tomatoes (fresh)”. Includes all varieties of fresh tomatoes.
Is cucumbers on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers cucumbers under “Cucumbers (fresh)”. Includes all varieties of fresh cucumbers.
Is bell pepper on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers bell pepper under “Peppers (fresh)”. Includes all varieties of fresh peppers.
Is mango on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers mango under “Tropical tree fruits (fresh)”. Includes all types of fresh tropical tree fruit. Examples include, but are not limited to, mango, papaya, mamey, guava, lychee, jackfruit, and starfruit. Does not include non-tree fruits such as bananas, pineapple, dates, soursop, jujube, passionfruit, Loquat, pomegranate, and sapodilla. Does not include tree nuts such as coconut. Does not include pit fruits such as avocado. Does not include citrus, such as orange, clementine, tangerine, mandarins, lemon, lime, citron, grapefruit, kumquat, and pomelo. Tropical tree fruits listed in § 112.2(a)(1), such as figs, are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e).
Is cilantro on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers cilantro under “Herbs (fresh)”. Includes all types of fresh herbs. Examples include, but are not limited to, parsley, cilantro, and basil. Herbs listed in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1), such as dill, are exempt from the requirements of the rule under 21 CFR 1.1305(e).
Is dill on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Exempt. Dill: Listed in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1) as rarely consumed raw, so exempt under 21 CFR 1.1305(e).
Is collard greens on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Exempt. Collard greens: Listed in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1) as rarely consumed raw, so exempt under 21 CFR 1.1305(e).
Is spinach on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers spinach under “Leafy greens (fresh)”. Includes all types of fresh leafy greens. Examples include, but are not limited to, arugula, baby leaf, butter lettuce, chard, chicory, endive, escarole, green leaf, iceberg lettuce, kale, red leaf, pak choi/bok choi, Romaine, sorrel, spinach, and watercress. Does not include whole head cabbages such as green cabbage, red cabbage, or savoy cabbage. Does not include banana leaf, grape leaf, and leaves that are grown on trees. Leafy greens listed in § 112.2(a)(1), such as collards, are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e).
Is frozen spinach on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover frozen spinach (checked against “Leafy greens (fresh)”). On FDA's Food Traceability List, fresh and fresh-cut do not include previously frozen forms of the food. Frozen forms of this food are not on the list.
Is bagged salad on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers bagged salad under “Leafy greens (fresh-cut)”. Includes all types of fresh-cut leafy greens, including single and mixed greens.
Is watermelon on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers watermelon under “Melons (fresh)”. Includes all types of fresh melons. Examples include, but are not limited to, cantaloupe, honeydew, muskmelon, and watermelon.
Is shrimp on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers shrimp under “Crustaceans (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen)”. Includes all crustacean species. Examples include but are not limited to shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish.
Is salmon on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers salmon under “Finfish, species not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen)”. Includes all species of finfish not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin. Examples include, but are not limited to, cod, haddock, Alaska pollock, salmon, tilapia, and trout. Siluriformes fish, such as catfish, are not included.
Is catfish on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover catfish (checked against “Finfish, species not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen)”). Siluriformes fish, such as catfish, are not included; they are primarily regulated by USDA (FDA footnote 7).
Is scallops on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover scallops (checked against “Molluscan shellfish, bivalves (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen)”). Scallop adductor muscle (the usual “scallop meat”) is not included. Whole or roe-on scallops are bivalves and are on the list.
Is oysters on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers oysters under “Molluscan shellfish, bivalves (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen)”. Includes all species of bivalve mollusks. Examples include, but are not limited to, oysters, clams, and mussels. Does not include scallop adductor muscle. Raw bivalve molluscan shellfish that are (1) covered by the requirements of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program; (2) subject to the requirements of 21 CFR part 123, subpart C, and 21 CFR 1240.60; or (3) covered by a final equivalence determination by FDA for raw bivalve molluscan shellfish are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(f).
Is cheddar on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover cheddar (checked against “Cheese (made from unpasteurized milk), other than hard cheese”). Hard cheeses are not on the list. “Hard cheese” covers hard cheeses as defined in 21 CFR 133.150, colby (21 CFR 133.118) and caciocavallo siciliano (21 CFR 133.111); examples are cheddar, romano and parmesan (FDA footnote 2).
Is mozzarella on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers mozzarella under “Cheese (made from pasteurized milk), soft ripened or semi-soft”. Includes soft ripened/semi-soft cheeses. Examples include, but are not limited to, brie, camembert, feta, mozzarella, taleggio, blue, brick, fontina, monterey jack, and muenster. Does not include cheeses that are frozen or previously frozen, shelf stable at ambient temperature, or aseptically processed and packaged.
Is cottage cheese on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers cottage cheese under “Cheese (made from pasteurized milk), fresh soft or soft unripened”. Includes soft unripened/fresh soft cheeses. Examples include, but are not limited to, cottage, chevre, cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, queso blanco, queso fresco, queso de crema, and queso de puna. Does not include cheeses that are frozen or previously frozen, shelf stable at ambient temperature, or aseptically processed and packaged. FDA footnote: IMS listed Grade “A” cottage cheese is exempt from the requirements of the rule.
Is eggs on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers eggs under “Shell eggs”. Shell egg means the egg of the domesticated chicken. Includes products (whether fresh or frozen) that contain raw, unpasteurized eggs as ingredients.
Is peanut butter on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers peanut butter under “Nut butters”. Includes all types of tree nut and peanut butters. Includes all forms of nut butters, including shelf stable, refrigerated, frozen, and previously frozen products. Examples include, but are not limited to, almond, cashew, chestnut, coconut, hazelnut, peanut, pistachio, and walnut butters. Does not include soy or seed butters.
Is sunflower seed butter on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover sunflower seed butter (checked against “Nut butters”). Soy and seed butters are not on the list.
Is potato salad on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers potato salad under “Ready-to-eat deli salads (refrigerated)”. Includes all types of refrigerated ready-to-eat deli salads, including ready-to-eat deli salads that are frozen at some point in the supply chain prior to retail. Examples include, but are not limited to, egg salad, potato salad, pasta salad, and seafood salad. Does not include meat salads.
Is chicken salad on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover chicken salad (checked against “Ready-to-eat deli salads (refrigerated)”). Meat salads are not included (they are mainly USDA-regulated).
Is smoked salmon on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers smoked salmon under “Finfish, species not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin (fresh, frozen, and previously frozen)”. Includes all species of finfish not associated with histamine or ciguatoxin. Examples include, but are not limited to, cod, haddock, Alaska pollock, salmon, tilapia, and trout. Siluriformes fish, such as catfish, are not included.
Is potatoes on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Exempt. Potatoes: On the exhaustive rarely-consumed-raw list in 21 CFR 112.2(a)(1), so exempt from the Food Traceability Rule as produce under 21 CFR 1.1305(e). Foods made from it, such as a nut butter or a ready-to-eat deli salad, can still be on the list.
Is apples on the FDA Food Traceability List?
No. FDA's Food Traceability List does not cover apples (checked against “Not on the Food Traceability List”). Whole fresh fruits other than melons and tropical tree fruits are not on the list; they are covered only when fresh-cut.
Is sliced apples on the FDA Food Traceability List?
Yes. FDA's Food Traceability List covers sliced apples under “Fruits (fresh-cut)”. Includes all types of fresh-cut fruits. Fruits listed in § 112.2(a)(1) are exempt from the requirements of the rule under § 1.1305(e).
When does FSMA 204 apply?
The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act of 2026 directed FDA not to enforce the Food Traceability Rule before 20 July 2028, and FDA says it will comply.
Can the Food Traceability List change?
FDA updates the Food Traceability List through two Federal Register notices; additions take effect two years after the second notice unless stated otherwise, and deletions take effect immediately.
Guides: FSMA 204 requirements, produce, seafood, cheese, shell eggs, nut butters, ready-to-eat foods.
Sources: FDA, Food Traceability List (content current 24 July 2026); FDA, Food Traceability Final Rule (compliance date; content current 4 November 2026); 21 CFR 112.2; 21 CFR 1.1305. Checked 6 November 2026. A plain-language summary of the rules as written, not legal advice.
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