FDA Issues Uniform Compliance Date for Final Food Labeling Regulations

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Jan. 1, 2026, will be the uniform compliance date for final food labeling regulations that are issued in calendar years 2023 and 2024. This action is not intended to change existing requirements for compliance dates contained in final rules published before Jan. 1, 2023.

The FDA periodically announces uniform compliance dates for new food labeling requirements to minimize the economic impact on the food industry of having to respond separately to each labeling change. Use of a uniform compliance date allows industry to adjust to new labeling requirements in an orderly and economical manner by allowing sufficient lead time to plan for the use of existing label inventories and the development of new labeling materials. The FDA generally encourages industry to comply with new labeling regulations as quickly as feasible. However, all food products subject to the January 1, 2026, uniform compliance date must comply with the appropriate labeling regulations when initially introduced into interstate commerce on or after January 1, 2026.

For some food labeling regulations, the FDA will set a compliance date that differs from the uniform compliance date if special circumstances justify doing so. The specific compliance date is published when a final regulation is issued.