The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has launched a video series aimed at helping food companies prepare for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Traceability Rule. 

The rule is intended to facilitate more efficient recalls during a foodborne illness outbreak by requiring a standardized approach to capturing and sharing product identification and movement data throughout the food chain. The videos cover the key sections of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rule 204 for each of the foods listed on the FDA’s Food Traceability List.

The IFT, a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, believes that the new series will aid companies in complying with the rule, which requires all products covered to be in compliance by Jan. 20, 2026. Bryan Hitchcock, IFT Chief Science and Technology Officer, said that many food companies were left wondering how the traceability rule would impact them, and the videos provide the knowledge and tools to help them on their traceability journey.

The IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center conducts applied research and develops resources, tools, and training, among other things, to improve traceability throughout the food supply chain. The center offers customizable services to help industry, regulators, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implement end-to-end, event-based, interoperable traceability to solve challenges and create opportunities across the supply chain.

For more information on the Global Food Traceability Center and to access IFT’s commodity-specific Food Traceability Rule videos, visit their website.