What is the Reportable Food Registry?

The RFR requires responsible parties to file a report through the RFR electronic portal when there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, an article of food will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Such foods are deemed by FDA to be "reportable foods." A "responsible party" must notify FDA of a reportable food within 24 hours of its discovery.

These reporting requirements apply to registered food facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States under section 415(a) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FD&C Act 21 U.S.C. 350d). This includes all FDA-regulated categories of food and feed, except dietary supplements and infant formula, because these are subject to other sections of the FD&C Act. The RFR does not apply to products regulated exclusively by USDA.

Federal, state, and local government officials may voluntarily use the RFR portal to report information that may come to them about reportable foods.