FDA Food Facility Registration

Under the Bioterrorism Act and FSMA, domestic and foreign food facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for U.S. consumption must register with FDA. LMG handles complete food facility registration and biennial renewal.

Bioterrorism ActFSMA CompliantBiennial Renewal

Who Must Register for FDA Food Facility Registration?

Registration is required under the Bioterrorism Act and FSMA for any domestic or foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for U.S. consumption.

Registration Required

Domestic food manufacturers and processors
Foreign food facilities exporting to the U.S.
Food packing and holding facilities
Dietary supplement manufacturers
Beverage manufacturers and bottlers
Contract food manufacturers

Generally Exempt

Farms growing and harvesting raw commodities
Restaurants and retail food establishments
Nonprofit food establishments
Fishing vessels not engaged in processing
Home based businesses

Every 2 yrsRenewal Cycle

Oct–DecEven Years Only

$0FDA Govt Fee

60 daysNew Facility Window

Prior NoticeBEFORE SHIPMENT

US AgentForeign Facility

FDA Food Registration Regulations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) ensures that food sold in the United States is safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. This applies to food produced domestically and food from foreign countries. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are the Federal laws governing food products under US FDA jurisdiction.

FDA Food Registration – US FDA Food Facility Registration Requirements

The Bioterrorism Act requires US FDA registration for domestic and foreign food facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the U.S. Owner, operator, or agent in charge of domestic or foreign food facility is required to register their facility with the US FDA. Domestic facilities require FDA registration whether or not food from the facility enters interstate commerce. Foreign food facilities that manufacture/process, pack, or hold food also require US FDA registration unless food from that facility undergoes further processing (including packaging) by another foreign food facility before the food is exported to the U.S. However, if the subsequent foreign food facility performs an only minimal activity, such as putting on a label, both food facilities require US FDA registration. Acidified and low-acid food manufacturers also require FDA food canning establishment (FCE) registration. The dietary supplement manufacturers also require US FDA registration.

The new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

The US FDA food facility registration was a one-time registration process till FY 2012. The new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires Biennial Registration Renewal for domestic and foreign Food Facilities. Previously registered facilities should renew the registration between October 1 and December 31 of each even-numbered year starting from 2012. If any of the mandatory information in the registration changes, the registered food facility must update the registration within 60 days with US FDA. If the facility stops or ceases its operation, the registered food facility must cancel the US FDA registration within 60 days. Previously registered food facilities that do not have US FDA registration information do not require re-registration. Such facilities can contact US FDA to obtain registration information. Every foreign food facility must have a US FDA Agent who acts as the domestic communications representative. Foreign facilities must provide the US FDA agent information at the time of FDA registration and update the FDA registration information if the facility changes the US FDA agent.

The food facility registration and prior notice help the US FDA with information on the origin and distribution of food products, thereby detecting and quick response to actual or potential threats to the U.S. food supply. Registration information also helps US FDA to notify the food establishment that may be affected by the actual or potential threat. The US FDA registration statistics show a total of 229,491 food facility registrations, out of which 87,155 are domestic registrations and 142,336 are foreign registrations, as of January, 2026.

Liberty Management Group assists in US FDA food facility registration and helps to comply with FDA bioterrorism act requirements. LMG also provides US FDA Agent service for foreign food facilities. Please note US FDA does not issue a certificate of registration, nor does the US FDA recognize a registration certificate issued by a third party, but the US FDA issue a registration number for each registered food facility; the FDA registration number does not denote the US FDA approval of the facility.

Food Facility Registration Services

LMG manages complete FDA food facility registration — initial registration, U.S. Agent designation, registration certificate, and biennial renewal.

Food Facility Registration

Complete FDA food facility registration for domestic and foreign establishments that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food products for U.S. distribution.

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FDA U.S. Agent Service

Foreign food facilities must designate a U.S. FDA Agent as part of FDA registration. LMG serves as your official FDA Agent for all regulatory communications.

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Registration Certificate

LMG issues an FDA Registration Certificate — an industry-accepted document — to all food facility clients, verifiable by importers and customs brokers on our website.

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Biennial Registration Renewal

Food facility registrations must be renewed every two years between October 1 and December 31 of even-numbered years. We track and manage your renewal deadline.

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Prior Notice Assistance

Importers of food products must submit Prior Notice to FDA before shipments arrive at U.S. ports. LMG assists with Prior Notice preparation and submission.

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Food Label Compliance Review

FDA compliance review of your food product label — including nutrition facts panel, ingredient list, allergen declarations, foreign language labeling, and required claims.

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How It Works

We manage the entire process from start to finish.

Facility Assessment

We confirm your facility type and activities that trigger FDA food registration requirements under the Bioterrorism Act and FSMA.

Registration Preparation

We collect all required facility, owner/operator, and U.S. Agent information for FDA submission.

FDA Submission

We submit your food facility registration to FDA through the official Food Facility Registration Module (FFRM).

Certificate & Renewal

You receive your FDA registration number and LMG certificate. We manage biennial renewal and monitor for any FDA communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this FDA regulatory service.

Who must register as a food facility?

Domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for U.S. consumption must register — with limited exceptions for farms, restaurants, retail food establishments, home based businesses, and certain nonprofit organizations.

When must food facility registration be renewed?

Food facility registrations must be renewed every two years between October 1 and December 31 of even-numbered years (2026, 2028, etc.).

Do foreign food facilities need to register?

Yes. All foreign food facilities that export food to the United States must register with FDA and designate a U.S. Agent before their products can be imported.

Is there a government fee for food facility registration?

No. FDA does not charge a fee for food facility registration. LMG charges a professional service fee of $349/year which includes registration, U.S. Agent service, and registration certificate.