FSPCA FOOD TRACEABILITY RULE TRAINING

FDA Food Traceability Rule Training

Official FSPCA Training | November 12–13, 2026 | Denver, Colorado

Get Ready for the FDA Food Traceability Rule

Can your organization quickly identify where a food product came from, where it went, and what records are needed during a food safety investigation?

The FDA Food Traceability Rule introduces additional recordkeeping requirements for certain foods to improve traceability throughout the supply chain and support faster responses to foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls.

Join experts from Colorado State University (CSU) and Louisiana State University (LSU) for two days of instructor-led training using the official Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) curriculum.

This training combines regulatory knowledge with practical examples to help participants understand the rule, evaluate how it applies to their operations, and prepare for implementation.

What Will You Learn?

By the end of the course, participants will be better prepared to:

• Understand the purpose, scope, and requirements of the FDA Food Traceability Rule.
• Determine whether their products and operations are covered by the rule.
• Identify Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and Key Data Elements (KDEs).
• Understand traceability lot codes and associated recordkeeping requirements.
• Identify the information that must be maintained and shared throughout the supply chain.
• Understand how to develop and maintain a Food Traceability Plan.
• Apply traceability concepts to practical food industry scenarios.
• Improve organizational preparedness for product tracing, investigations, and recalls.

Who Should Attend?

This training is designed for professionals involved in food production, handling, distribution, regulatory compliance, and food safety, including:

• Produce growers, harvesters, packers, and shippers.
• Food manufacturers and processors.
• Seafood processors and distributors.
• Food distributors, wholesalers, and supply chain managers.
• Retail food establishments, grocery operations, and foodservice businesses.
• Food safety and quality assurance professionals.
• Consultants, auditors, regulatory officials, and educators.

No prior FSPCA training is required.

Learn from Experienced Food Safety Experts

Dr. Achyut Adhikari | Louisiana State University

Dr. Adhikari is a professor and food safety researcher at LSU, with expertise in food safety, microbial contamination, and food safety practices across food production and processing systems. His work connects applied research, education, and industry needs.

Dr. Eduardo Gutierrez-Rodriguez | Colorado State University

Dr. Gutierrez-Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of Food Safety Systems at CSU. His research and Extension programs focus on produce safety, food safety risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and practical implementation of food safety systems across agricultural and food processing operations.

Together, the instructors bring academic, research, and applied food industry perspectives to help participants translate regulatory requirements into operational practices.

Training Schedule

Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Day 1 focuses on understanding the regulatory framework, identifying covered foods and activities, and introducing Critical Tracking Events, Key Data Elements, and traceability records.

Friday, November 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Day 2 focuses on applying traceability requirements, developing and maintaining traceability plans, reviewing practical examples, and discussing implementation challenges.

Participants must attend 100% of both training days and participate in all required course chapters and activities to successfully complete the course.

What Is Included in the $475 Registration Fee?

• Two days of instructor-led training with food safety experts from CSU and LSU.
• Official FSPCA Food Traceability Rule Participant Manual, provided as a downloadable PDF before the course. No separate purchase is necessary.
• Official FSPCA Food Traceability Rule certificate issued by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) upon successful completion. The certificate fee is included.
• Lunch and one coffee break on each training day.
• Opportunities to discuss food traceability questions and practical implementation challenges with instructors.