---
title: "What is FSMA 204, in plain English?"
description: "A plain-English summary of the FDA's Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204): who it covers, what records you need to keep, and the July 20, 2028 compliance deadline for small producers."
canonical: https://fsma204hub.com/support/what-is-fsma-204
updated: 2026-04-30
---

# What is FSMA 204, in plain English?

> A plain-English summary of the FDA's Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204): who it covers, what records you need to keep, and the July 20, 2028 compliance deadline for small producers.

FSMA 204 — formally the **FDA Food Traceability Rule** under the Food
Safety Modernization Act — requires anyone who manufactures, processes,
packs, or holds foods on the **Food Traceability List (FTL)** to keep
specific records and produce them in a Sortable Spreadsheet within
24 hours of an FDA request.

## What you actually have to do

- Assign a **traceability lot code (TLC)** to each lot of FTL food.
- Capture **Key Data Elements (KDEs)** at each **Critical Tracking
  Event (CTE)** — receiving, transformation, shipping.
- Be able to export a **Sortable Spreadsheet** in the FDA's format on
  request.

## When does it kick in?

The compliance date is **July 20, 2028** for most covered entities
(per the FDA's proposed 30-month extension from the original January 20,
2026 date). There are exemptions for very small producers, see the
[FDA's guidance](https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods)
for the current thresholds.

## Where FSMA204Hub helps

We give you the lot tracking, CTE capture, and Sortable Spreadsheet
export without building you a full QMS. If you're a small producer and a
retailer just sent you a questionnaire, this is the fastest way to be
ready.

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Source: https://fsma204hub.com/support/what-is-fsma-204 (https://fsma204hub.com)