More than a dozen additional questions have been incorporated into the RFR programme in the form of a ‘Rational Questionnaire’, including whether or not the reportable food underwent treatment to reduce the presence of potentially lethal microorganisms.
It was initially implemented as an electronic system for collecting, submitting and processing information on reportable food products – those for which there is reasonable probability that consumption or exposure will cause health consequences or death.
The US food industry is required by law to input reportable food information via the RFR, however, figures from within the sector will not be initially obliged to complete the new sections.
The FDA hopes that through the update, the RFR will provide a better tool through which it can better track food safety patterns across the US and make targeted inspections.
Target inspection resources
“FDA brings online a new Reportable Food Registry (RFR) Rational Questionnaire which incorporates additional data elements as part of an effort to improve the RFR’s information gathering capability,” said a statement from the FDA.
Food industry stakeholders, including processors, packagers and distributors will be required to provide information including the reason the food has been determined to be reportable and a description of the root cause of the reportable food once the FDA makes it mandatory later this year.
The update also provides the industry the means to outline any corrective actions that have so far been taken to avoid a repeat of the reportable event.
“By gathering and analysing the new data, FDA will improve its ability to track patterns of adulteration in human food and animal feed (including pet food) and to target its inspection resources,” said an FDA statement.
Early warning system
Data collected using the RFR has proved useful to the FDA since its introduction in 2007. According to the FDA, the Registry has helped increase the speed with which the FDA investigates reports and takes appropriate action, including the removal of reportable food from the market.
“By providing early warning about potential public-health risks from reportable foods, the Registry increased the speed with which the FDA, its state- and local-level partners, and industry could remove hazards from the marketplace. The Agency also can use the data to target inspections, plan work, identify and prioritise risks and develop guidance for industry on how to strengthen preventive controls,” said FDA deputy commissioner for foods Michael Taylor.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
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