The 2026 food facility renewal has to be submitted electronically through an FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account, unless FDA has granted a waiver to file by mail or fax. That sounds simple until a facility discovers that nobody at the company knows the login. The registration was created years ago by a consultant, a former employee or an importer's broker, and the account went with them. If this is your situation, you still have time to fix it before December 31, 2026, but not much.
First, find out what you actually have
Look for the original registration confirmation, an old FDA email, or a Prior Notice from a past shipment. These usually show the 11-digit food facility registration number. Ask your importer and customs broker too, because they need the number for Prior Notice and often have it on file. With the number, you can confirm whether the registration exists, and who you need to approach.
Three common situations
1. A former consultant or agent created the account
This is the most frequent case. The registration belongs to your facility, even if the account it sits in belongs to someone else. Ask the former provider in writing to renew it on your instructions, or to cooperate in moving it to an account your company controls. Keep the request polite and specific: name the registration number, the facility and the deadline. If they do not cooperate, contact FDA's registration help desk (see below) with your registration number and facility details and ask how to proceed.
2. The account is yours but the password or PIN is lost
Password resets go through the FIS sign-in page. The registration PIN, which FDA issues with the registration, is separate from the password. If the PIN is lost, the FDA help desk is the place to ask for it. Do not wait until late December for this, because help desk queues grow as the deadline approaches.
3. Nobody can find any record
If no registration number can be found anywhere, the facility may never have been registered, or the registration may have been cancelled. In that case the task is a new registration, not a renewal. That is also the right route if the old registration has already expired.
What not to do
- Do not create a second registration for the same facility just because you cannot reach the first one. Duplicate records create confusion at the border and with FDA.
- Do not send your FDA username, password or PIN by email, chat or in shipment paperwork, to anyone. That includes FDABridge. A legitimate provider works through an FDA-supported authorization process instead.
- Do not assume the former consultant renewed it. Ask for the renewal confirmation.
Who is allowed to renew
FDA's rules allow a registration to be submitted by the facility's owner, operator or agent in charge, or by an individual they authorize. When a third party submits on your behalf, the submission identifies who authorized it. Using an authorized professional is normal and lawful. Handing over your credentials is not the same thing.
While you sort out access, check the data
When you regain access, the renewal still needs accurate content. Check that the DUNS number used as your unique facility identifier matches the facility's legal name and physical address. Check that product categories reflect what you make today, and that the US Agent named is one that actually acts for you. Our guides to what a UFI number is and why FDA rejects food facility registrations cover the most common errors. If your current agent is part of the problem, you can renew and change your US Agent at the same time.
FDA contact details for registration problems
FDA's registration help desk can be reached at FURLS@fda.gov or +1 240 247 8804. Have the registration number, the facility name and address, and the name of the person authorized to act ready before you contact them.
FDABridge can help you work out whether you need renewal, an Agent transfer or a new registration, and then file once access is in place. FDA charges no fee for registration or renewal.
Sources
- FDA, FDA Reminds Food Facilities of Biennial Renewal Requirements (September 29, 2026): https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-reminds-food-facilities-biennial-renewal-requirements
- 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart H, Registration of Food Facilities: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-H