FDA food facility registration renewal 2026: a guide for pet food makers
Unless an exemption applies, a facility that manufactures, processes, packs or holds food for consumption in the United States must register with FDA, and FDA's rules count pet food and treats as food. The registration is renewed every other year, and the 2026 window is open now: 21 CFR 1.230(b) sets the renewal “during the period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31 of each even-numbered year”. This is a federal registration, separate from any state pet food registration. Below, each point is quoted from the regulation (21 CFR part 1, subpart H, and 21 CFR part 507) or from FDA, with the section. Checked October 3, 2026.
We quote the rules; we don't say whether your business must register or qualifies for anything. Those are FDA's calls under the definitions below. Not legal advice. FDA's registration help desk: “a food facility can contact FDA for help at 1-800-216-7331 or 240-247-8804, or by e-mail at furls@fda.gov”FDA, registration fees page · Source: fda.gov
“You must submit a registration renewal containing the information required under § 1.232 every other year, during the period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31 of each even-numbered year.”
“if you previously submitted a registration to FDA, but do not submit a registration renewal to FDA during the period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31 of each even-numbered year, FDA will consider the registration for the facility to be expired.”
“By July 31 of the applicable calendar year, when the status of a facility changes from “not a qualified facility” to “qualified facility” based on the annual determination required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section”
“You must update a facility's registration within 60 calendar days of any change to any of the information previously submitted under § 1.232 (e.g., change of operator, agent in charge, or U.S. agent), except a change of the owner.”
2026 is an even-numbered year, so the registration renewal is due between October 1 and December 31, 2026. FDA's own page for this year: “Renewal Period: October 1, 2026, 12:01AM through December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM”FDA renewal user guide · Source: fda.gov
State pet food and feed registrations renew separately, many on December 31 or January 1: see all states' renewal dates.
Who must register with FDA
“You must register your facility under this subpart if you are the owner, operator, or agent in charge of either a domestic or foreign facility, as defined in this subpart, and your facility is engaged in the manufacturing/processing, packing, or holding of food for consumption in the United States, unless your facility qualifies for one of the exemptions in § 1.226.”21 CFR 1.225(a) · Source: ecfr.gov
“If you are an owner, operator, or agent in charge of a domestic facility, you must register your facility whether or not the food from the facility enters interstate commerce.”21 CFR 1.225(b) · Source: ecfr.gov
“animal feed (including pet food), food and feed ingredients, food and feed additives”21 CFR 1.227, examples in the definition of “food” · Source: ecfr.gov
“Food for animals (e.g., pet food, pet treats and chews, animal feed)”FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide, food categories covered · Source: fda.gov
“Facility means any establishment, structure, or structures under one ownership at one general physical location, or, in the case of a mobile facility, traveling to multiple locations, that manufactures/processes, packs, or holds food for consumption in the United States.”21 CFR 1.227, “facility” · Source: ecfr.gov
“Manufacturing/processing means making food from one or more ingredients, or synthesizing, preparing, treating, modifying or manipulating food, including food crops or ingredients.”21 CFR 1.227, “manufacturing/processing” (its examples include baking, cooking, drying, labeling, mixing and packaging) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Facility means a domestic facility or a foreign facility that is required to register under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, in accordance with the requirements of part 1, subpart H of this chapter.”21 CFR 507.3, “facility” in the animal food rule · Source: ecfr.gov
Pet food is in FDA's list of food examples, and FDA's small-business guide lists pet treats and chews. The definitions of “facility” and “manufacturing/processing” above decide what counts; the exemptions are next.
Who doesn't have to register: the exemptions
“This subpart does not apply to the following facilities:”21 CFR 1.226 · Source: ecfr.gov
“A foreign facility, if food from such facility undergoes further manufacturing/processing (including packaging) by another facility outside the United States.”21 CFR 1.226(a) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Nonprofit food establishments in which food is prepared for, or served directly to, the consumer”21 CFR 1.226(e) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Fishing vessels, including those that not only harvest and transport fish but also engage in practices such as heading, eviscerating, or freezing intended solely to prepare fish for holding on board a harvest vessel.”21 CFR 1.226(f) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Facilities that are regulated exclusively, throughout the entire facility, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.)”21 CFR 1.226(g) · Source: ecfr.gov
The definitions behind the exemptions
Whether a business is a retail food establishment, a farm or a facility at all depends on these definitions in 21 CFR 1.227. We quote them and don't apply them to anyone; FDA decides.
Retail food establishment: “Retail food establishment means an establishment that sells food products directly to consumers as its primary function.”21 CFR 1.227 · Source: ecfr.gov
Retail food establishment: “A retail food establishment's primary function is to sell food directly to consumers if the annual monetary value of sales of food products directly to consumers exceeds the annual monetary value of sales of food products to all other buyers. The term “consumers” does not include businesses.”21 CFR 1.227 · Source: ecfr.gov
Retail food establishment (FDA on pet treats): “In some instances, a farm supply store, specialty bakery, hobby store, or other retail store that sells animal food, such as pet treats (and also may sell human food), may be a retail food establishment if the annual monetary value of sales of food products directly to consumers (such as pet owners or other individuals) exceeds the annual monetary value of sales of food products to all other buyers (such as farms, which are considered businesses).”FDA Q&A guidance, B.2.16 · Source: fda.gov
Restaurant: “Pet shelters, kennels, and veterinary facilities in which food is provided to animals are restaurants.”21 CFR 1.227, “restaurant” (2) · Source: ecfr.gov
Farm: “A primary production farm is an operation under one management in one general (but not necessarily contiguous) physical location devoted to the growing of crops, the harvesting of crops, the raising of animals (including seafood), or any combination of these activities.”21 CFR 1.227, “farm” (1); (2) defines a secondary activities farm · Source: ecfr.gov
Mixed-type facility: “Mixed-type facility means an establishment that engages in both activities that are exempt from registration under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and activities that require the establishment to be registered.”21 CFR 1.227 · Source: ecfr.gov
Private residence: “The private residence of an individual is not a facility.”21 CFR 1.227, “facility” · Source: ecfr.gov
Private residence (FDA guidance): “A private residence must meet customary expectations for a private home and does not otherwise include commercial facilities in which a person also happens to reside.”FDA Q&A guidance, C.1.2 · Source: fda.gov
Private residence (FDA guidance): “A private residence from which a person also sells food through the Internet is not a “facility” as defined in 21 CFR 1.227 and, thus, would not have to register.”FDA Q&A guidance, C.1.4 · Source: fda.gov
FDA's question-and-answer guidance and small-business guide are marked “Contains Nonbinding Recommendations”header of FDA's Q&A guidance and Small Entity Compliance Guide · Source: fda.gov The regulation's definitions are in 21 CFR 1.227. State rules are separate from FDA's, for home kitchens too: Do I need a license to sell dog treats?
The 2026 biennial renewal
“Every two years between October 1 and December 31, owners, operators, or agents in charge of a domestic or foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for consumption by humans or animals in the United States are required to renew their registration with the FDA.”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
“If the initial registration is submitted prior to October 1 of a biennial renewal year, a renewal still must be submitted for the facility during the period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31.”FDA Q&A guidance, D.2.2 · Source: fda.gov
“If you do not have any changes to the information required under § 1.232 since you submitted the preceding registration, registration renewal, or update for your facility, you may use the abbreviated registration renewal process.”21 CFR 1.230(c) · Source: ecfr.gov
“A food facility will not be issued a new registration number when it renews a current registration.”FDA Q&A guidance, D.2.4 · Source: fda.gov
“No registration fee is required.”21 CFR 1.231(c) · Source: ecfr.gov
“FDA clarifies that there is no fee required to register a food facility with FDA and food facility registrants are not required to use a third-party business or “registrar” to register their facilities with FDA.”FDA, registration fees page · Source: fda.gov
“FDA would like to remind registrants that FDA is not affiliated with these private businesses, nor do they act on FDA’s behalf.”FDA, registration fees page · Source: fda.gov
“Food facilities do not need a certificate of registration.”FDA, registration fees page · Source: fda.gov
How to renew: FDA Industry Systems (FURLS)
“To register or renew a registration electronically, you must go to http://www.fda.gov/furls, which is available for registration 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”21 CFR 1.231(a)(1) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Beginning on January 4, 2020, you must submit your registration or registration renewal to FDA electronically, unless FDA has granted you a waiver under § 1.245.”21 CFR 1.231(a)(2) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Food facilities must submit their renewal information electronically through their FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account, unless FDA has granted them a waiver that allows for registration by mail or by fax.”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
“Please be advised that “updating” your registration is a different function than “renewing” your registration.”FDA renewal user guide · Source: fda.gov
“With respect to electronic registration renewals, after you submit your electronic registration renewal, FDA will provide you with an electronic confirmation of your registration renewal.”21 CFR 1.231(a)(3) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Food facilities that have registered and do not have their FURLS information or PIN should not re-register.”FDA, registration fees page · Source: fda.gov
“FDA will consider a registration for a food facility to be expired if the registration is not renewed, as required by § 1.230(b).”21 CFR 1.241(b) · Source: ecfr.gov
“FDA will consider a food facility with an expired registration to have failed to register in accordance with section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”21 CFR 1.241(b) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Also, FDA will cancel a registration if the facility's registration has expired because the facility has failed to renew its registration in accordance with § 1.230(b).”21 CFR 1.241(c) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Failure of an owner, operator, or agent in charge of a domestic or foreign facility to register its facility, renew the registration of its facility, update required elements of its facility's registration, or cancel its registration in accordance with the requirements of this subpart is a prohibited act under section 301(dd) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”21 CFR 1.241(a) · Source: ecfr.gov
“FDA will consider the registration to be expired for any facility that fails to renew by December 31, 2026.”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
“If a food facility registration or renewal registration is submitted (or postmarked, for paper submissions) on or before the renewal deadline and includes all required information, we will not consider such a registration to be expired.”FDA Q&A guidance, D.2.6 · Source: fda.gov
“If FDA cancels your registration because FDA considers it to be expired and you continue to manufacture/process, pack, or hold food for consumption in the United States and are subject to section 415 of the FD&C Act, you must re-register.”FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide · Source: fda.gov
“Indicates if the registration is for a previously registered facility that had passed the registration renewal deadline or a facility never previously registered.”FDA Summary of Fields, “Do you want to re-register a facility that has passed the registration renewal deadline?” (Section 1) · Source: fda.gov
The Unique Facility Identifier (UFI): a DUNS number
“Beginning October 1, 2020, the facility's UFI recognized as acceptable by FDA”21 CFR 1.232(a)(2), in the information every registration must contain · Source: ecfr.gov
“Currently, the FDA recognizes the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as an acceptable UFI for food facility registration. The DUNS number is assigned and managed by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and can be obtained or verified by visiting Dun & Bradstreet’s website.”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
“FDA will not provide you with a confirmation of your registration renewal until FDA verifies the accuracy of your UFI and verifies that the facility-specific address associated with the UFI is the same address associated with your registration.”21 CFR 1.231(a)(3) · Source: ecfr.gov
So the facility address on the DUNS record and the address on the FDA registration have to be the same before FDA confirms a registration or renewal (21 CFR 1.231(a)(3)).
Qualified facility attestation for animal food (Form FDA 3942b)
Under FDA's animal food preventive controls rule (21 CFR part 507), a “qualified facility” has modified requirements (21 CFR 507.5(d) and 507.7), including attesting to its status on Form FDA 3942b. The human food form is Form FDA 3942a, under part 117, which this page doesn't cover.
Who may submit it: the definitions
“A qualified facility must submit the following attestations to FDA:”21 CFR 507.7(a) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Qualified facility means (when including the sales by any subsidiary; affiliate; or subsidiaries or affiliates, collectively, of any entity of which the facility is a subsidiary or affiliate) a facility that is a very small business as defined in this part, or a facility to which both of the following apply:”21 CFR 507.3, “qualified facility” · Source: ecfr.gov
“During the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year, the average annual monetary value of the food manufactured, processed, packed, or held at such facility that is sold directly to qualified end-users (as defined in this part) during such period exceeded the average annual monetary value of the food sold by such facility to all other purchasers; and”21 CFR 507.3, “qualified facility” (1) · Source: ecfr.gov
“The average annual monetary value of all food sold during the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year was less than $500,000, adjusted for inflation.”21 CFR 507.3, “qualified facility” (2) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Very small business means, for purposes of this part, a business (including any subsidiaries and affiliates) averaging less than $2,500,000, adjusted for inflation, per year, during the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year in sales of animal food plus the market value of animal food manufactured, processed, packed, or held without sale (e.g., held for a fee or supplied to a farm without sale).”21 CFR 507.3, “very small business” · Source: ecfr.gov
“For the purpose of determining whether a facility satisfies the definition of qualified facility, the baseline year for calculating the adjustment for inflation is 2011”21 CFR 507.7(a)(1) · Source: ecfr.gov
“Except as provided in subpart D of this part, subparts C and E of this part do not apply to a qualified facility. Qualified facilities are subject to the requirements in § 507.7.”21 CFR 507.5(d) · Source: ecfr.gov
“An attestation that the facility is a qualified facility as defined in § 507.3.”21 CFR 507.7(a)(1) · Source: ecfr.gov
“An attestation that you have identified the potential hazards associated with the animal food being produced, are implementing preventive controls to address the hazards, and are monitoring the performance of the preventive controls to ensure that such controls are effective; or”21 CFR 507.7(a)(2)(i) · Source: ecfr.gov
“An attestation that the facility is in compliance with State, local, county, tribal, or other applicable non-Federal food safety law”21 CFR 507.7(a)(2)(ii) · Source: ecfr.gov
The dollar amounts are the regulation's own (21 CFR 507.3), “adjusted for inflation” from a 2011 baseline. FDA publishes the adjusted figures on its FSMA Inflation Adjusted Cut Offs page. Whether a facility is a qualified facility is the facility's own annual determination under these definitions (21 CFR 507.7(c)(1), in key dates); we don't make it.
When it's due, and the 2-year cycle
The rule says every 2 years from 2020, between October 1 and December 31; FDA's guidance and its 2026 reminder put it in the same window as the registration renewal. The first submission, the yearly July 1 determination and the July 31 status changes are in key dates.
“Before beginning operations, for a facility that begins manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding animal food after September 17, 2019”21 CFR 507.7(c)(2)(i)(B), first submission · Source: ecfr.gov
“Beginning in 2020, you must re-submit Form FDA 3942b to FDA every 2 years during the food facility biennial registration renewal period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31.”FDA qualified facility guidance, Section III, question 4 · Source: fda.gov
“Note that you must also renew your facility registration at this time (21 CFR 1.230).”FDA qualified facility guidance, Section III, question 4 · Source: fda.gov
“During the same biennial renewal period, qualified facilities must complete and submit their qualified facility attestation (QFA)”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
“Since October 1, 2018, facilities have been able to submit the qualified facility attestation forms electronically at https://www.access.fda.gov/ via the Qualified Facility Attestation Module.”FDA, Qualified Facility Attestation · Source: fda.gov
“Please note that facilities must have a valid food facility registration to submit their attestation.”FDA, Qualified Facility Attestation · Source: fda.gov
“A qualified facility must maintain those records relied upon to support the attestations that are required by paragraph (a) of this section.”21 CFR 507.7(f)(1) · Source: ecfr.gov
“A qualified facility that does not submit attestations under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section must provide notification to consumers as to the name and complete business address of the facility where the animal food was manufactured or processed”21 CFR 507.7(e) (on the label, where a label is required: 507.7(e)(1)) · Source: ecfr.gov
FDA registration is separate from state registration
“In addition to the requirements of this subpart, you must comply with the registration regulations found in part 108 of this chapter, related to emergency permit control, and any other Federal, State, or local registration requirements that apply to your facility.”21 CFR 1.240 · Source: ecfr.gov
“Assignment of a registration number does not in any way convey FDA's approval or endorsement of a facility or its products.”21 CFR 1.242 · Source: ecfr.gov
FDA food facility registration is about the facility. It doesn't register your products with any state, and a state registration doesn't replace it. Most states register each pet food or treat product, license the company, or both, on their own schedules: Do I need a license to sell dog treats? has the state-by-state table, and each state's page has its fees, forms and renewal dates:
“FDA requires you to provide the following information for facility registration.”FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide, Information Required for Registration · Source: fda.gov
Beginning October 1, 2020, the facility’s unique facility identifier (UFI) recognized as acceptable by FDA21 CFR 1.232(a)(2) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
Email address for the contact person of the facility or, in case of a foreign facility, the Name, address, phone number, and email address of the U.S. Agent for the facility21 CFR 1.232(b)(1), (c)(1) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
An emergency contact phone number and email address (for domestic facilities, the email address is only required if this is different from the contact person)21 CFR 1.232(b)(2), (c)(2) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
Name, full address and phone number of the owner, operator, or agent in charge. In addition, the email address of the owner, operator, or agent in charge is required, unless FDA has granted a waiver under 21 CFR 1.24521 CFR 1.232(a)(6) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
Applicable food product categories, as listed on the registration form21 CFR 1.232(a)(7) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
The type of activity conducted at the facility for each food product category identified21 CFR 1.232(a)(8) (one option is “Animal food warehouse/holding facility”) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
Assurance that FDA will be permitted to inspect the facility at the times and in the manner permitted by the FD&C Act21 CFR 1.232(a)(9) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
Certification that the information submitted is true and accurate and that the person submitting it is authorized to do so21 CFR 1.232(a)(10) · Source: FDA Small Entity Compliance Guide
Also useful
Your FDA Industry Systems login. “For electronic submissions, Account holders in FURLS will not need to provide a registration number or pin because that information is linked to the Account.”FDA Q&A guidance, D.2.5 · Source: fda.gov
Your DUNS number, with the facility's address on file at Dun & Bradstreet. “The UFI is used to verify that the facility-specific address associated with the UFI is the same address associated with the facility’s registration.”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
If you attest as a qualified facility: the records behind it. “A qualified facility must maintain those records relied upon to support the attestations that are required by paragraph (a) of this section.”21 CFR 507.7(f)(1) · Source: ecfr.gov
Where FDA's pages and the regulation differ or are unclear
FDA's guidance documents are nonbinding; the regulation is the rule. Where they differ, ask FDA's help desk how it applies them.
The rule for the qualified facility attestation says “every 2 years” from 2020 in October to December, but not “each even-numbered year” as the registration rule does. FDA's guidance and its September 29, 2026 update tie it to the registration renewal period, and counting every 2 years from 2020 gives 2022, 2024 and 2026.
“Beginning in 2020, submitted to FDA every 2 years during the period beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31.”21 CFR 507.7(c)(2)(ii) · Source: ecfr.gov
“During the same biennial renewal period, qualified facilities must complete and submit their qualified facility attestation (QFA)”FDA constituent update, September 29, 2026 · Source: fda.gov
Expired, cancelled or removed? The regulation says an unrenewed registration is expired and that FDA will cancel it; FDA's renewal user guide says it will be “removed from your account”. Neither says how soon after December 31 a cancellation happens.
“If a registration is not renewed by 11:59 PM on December 31 of the even-numbered year, the registration is considered expired and will be removed from your account.”FDA renewal user guide · Source: fda.gov
Times of day. FDA's user guide gives the 2026 window as running from 12:01 AM on October 1 to 11:59 PM on December 31 without a time zone; the regulation gives only the dates.
“Renewal Period: October 1, 2026, 12:01AM through December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM”FDA renewal user guide · Source: fda.gov
Out-of-date instructions. The user guide, headed “2026 Food Facility Biennial Registration Renewal”, still tells you to choose a 2024 menu option, and the fact sheet it links describes the 2022 period. The menu in the system may read differently.
“choose the "Biennial Registration Renewal - 2024" option from the FFR main menu”FDA renewal user guide · Source: fda.gov
“This year’s renewal period begins October 1, 2022 and ends December 31, 2022.”FDA biennial renewal fact sheet · Source: fda.gov
Paper Form FDA 3942b. The regulation says to mail a paper form; FDA's Qualified Facility Attestation page says to email it.
“Send a paper Form FDA 3942b to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (HFS-681), 5001 Campus Dr., College Park, MD 20740.”21 CFR 507.7(b)(2)(ii) · Source: ecfr.gov
“if you must complete your form manually, please email the form directly to FDA using the following address: FDA-QFA-Program@fda.hhs.gov”FDA, Qualified Facility Attestation · Source: fda.gov
A section number. FDA's qualified facility guidance cites 507.5(c)(3) for the July 31 status-change notice; the July 31 rule is in 507.7(c)(3) (quoted under key dates above), and 507.5(c) has no paragraph (3).
The portal's name. The regulation's address is fda.gov/furls (FURLS, short for FDA Unified Registration and Listing Systems); FDA's current pages call it FDA Industry Systems (FIS), at access.fda.gov.
What this page doesn't do
Decide who must register or who qualifies. We quote FDA's definitions; FDA applies them.
File anything. We don't register, renew or attest for anyone. FDA charges no fee and doesn't require a third-party “registrar”.
The rest of part 507. Good manufacturing practice and preventive controls requirements for animal food aren't covered here.