Food Regulations

UNITED STATES CODES

US Food Safety Framework

Federal requirements, national standards and state-specific regulations

Sustaining compliance with United States food safety laws is a foundational requirement for commercial kitchen operators, food service networks, and import-export managers. Due to the country’s dual-tier regulatory design, compliance involves meeting unified federal standards for sourcing and consumer disclosure alongside localized state health codes.

Operators must systematically maintain accurate raw ingredient trace paths, clear allergen reporting, and rigorous sanitation controls. Explore the core federal mandates and active state-level directories governing food businesses below.

Traditional markets and raw food trade showing federal compliance safety logs

National Food Regulations

Federal Acts & Multi-State Statutory Standards

FSMA 204 Traceability

FDA FSMA Rule 204 Traceability Mandates

High-level federal traceability guidelines requiring end-to-end trace logs, Key Data Elements (KDEs), and Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) for FTL ingredients. Click to view details.

  • Traceability Plan: Mandates that food operators handling foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL) must maintain a detailed, written trace pathway.
  • Critical Tracking Events: Requires records of CTEs, including harvesting, cooling, initial packing, shipping, receiving, and final transformation.
  • Standardised Formatting: Trace logs must be stored securely and made available to the FDA within 24 hours of a formal safety query.

Our Portals & Guides

View Our FSMA 204 Website FDA FSMA 204 Rules
FALCPA Allergens

FALCPA & FASTER Act (Sesame Mandates)

Federal allergen disclosure rules defining the nine major US allergens and mandatory packaged ingredient declarations. Click to view details.

  • The Nine Major Allergens: Enforces prominent disclosure of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame.
  • Plain English Terminology: Food ingredients must use plain common terms (e.g., “whey (milk)” instead of obscure technical terms).
  • Prepackaged Warnings: Governs direct retail warnings and requires strict cross-contact management under federal GMP rules.

Official Resources

FDA FALCPA Q&A FDA FASTER Sesame Hub
MENU Calorie

FDA Menu Labelling Regulations (Section 4205)

Federal calorie display laws requiring chains with 20 or more outlets to post nutritional details upfront. Click to view details.

  • Upfront Calorie Disclosures: Calories (kcal) must be displayed directly adjacent to items on all standard print menus and boards.
  • Sustaining Guidance: Menu sheets must carry the phrase: “2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice…”
  • Written Breakdown Plans: Operators must make full written metrics (fat, carbs, protein, sodium) available on customer request.

Official Resources

FDA Menu Guidance FDA Labeling Index
FOOD CODE Hygiene

The FDA Food Code (Model Regulations)

State and local safety benchmarks for temperature control, manager certifications, and local retail health inspections. Click to view details.

  • Local Safety Inspections: Serve as model guidelines adopted locally to manage sanitisation, cross-contact, and layout checks.
  • Certified Managers: Legally requires kitchens to employ at least one actively trained, ServSafe-certified food manager on duty.
  • Active Temperature Controls: Defines strict safety limits and logging criteria for cold holding, hot holding, and reheating.

Official Resources

FDA Food Code Portal Food Code 2022 Text

State Regulations

Some food regulations vary by state. Browse state-specific requirements below.

Select an active US state portal below to access local regulatory authorities, manager training guidelines, and targeted state-wide food compliance policies:

California

Lead safety laws including California retail codes, local sanitisation audits, and menu requirements.

Connecticut

State health regulations governing retail food establishments, certifications, and local audits.

Delaware

State department guidelines for food permits, mobile vendors, and school food safety protocols.

Maryland

Maryland Department of Health guidelines for cottage food laws, retail permits, and allergen disclosures.

Massachusetts

Strict restaurant allergen awareness acts requiring allergen placards on menu designs.

New Jersey

Chapter 24 retail food codes, food defence rules, and local sanitary inspections.

New York

New York State codes, NYC grading, and allergen policies across commercial dining.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture codes for packaging, food processing, and permits.

Rhode Island

Department of Health parameters for restaurant sanitisation logs and allergy notices.

Texas

Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER), county health audits, and manager training paths.

Washington D.C.

District health regulations for retail food operations, mobile food trucks, and schools.

Food Regulations

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