The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced they have become aware of issues regarding Food Facility Registration (FFR).
To read the full FDA Constituent update, visit FDA Advises Human and Animal Food Facilities to Protect their Food Facility Registration Information.
Noted issues
The following issues were highlighted in the update:
- Increasing numbers of businesses registering their facilities with the FDA when they are not required to
- Third-party businesses or "registrars" requesting FFR numbers, PINs, FIS-FURLS usernames, and/or passwords to verify registration status
- The TikTok Shop and other third-party seller platforms requesting copies of FDA Food Facility Registrations, or certificates, as part of their product-listing process
Problems Caused
These issues can lead to a number of problems for both businesses and the FDA, such as:
- Security risks: Keep your FFR and PIN, as well as usernames and passwords, secure. External entities can use this information to link your FFR to their FIS-FURLS account, allowing them access to view, change, or cancel your FFR. You can check the status of your FFR on the official FDA website.
- Regulatory confusion: Registering a facility that is not required to register as a food facility may subject your facility to unnecessary inspections or create confusion about your compliance obligations.
- Straining FDA resources: Creating registrations unnecessarily can strain FDA resources away from facilities that are required to register.
Safeguard your information
The FDA offered several tips to keep your FFR information safe:
- Never share usernames or passwords
- Know that the FDA does not require you to share your FFR number with third parties
- Consider cancelling your FFR and re-registering your facility if you've already shared your number and/or PIN in error.
Not all food businesses are required to register with the FDA. If you have questions about whether or not your facility is required to register with the FDA, visit FDA Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration, or contact Marissa Cohen.
Food Facility Registration (FFR) renewal
Food Facility Registration (FFR) renewal occurs on even numbered years. The process normally starts in October and the deadline is December 31. Be sure to keep an eye out for renewal information as it becomes available.
