What is UFI for FDA Food Facility Registration? (Complete Guide for Food Facilities)
Planning to register your food facility business with the FDA? Then it will begin to provide one of the most important requirements, which is the UFI (Unique Facility Identifier). This is the most crucial step, and most of the businesses often get stuck at this step. This leads to a delay or rejection in their US FDA food registration process. UFI is mandatory for completing FDA food facility registration.
At FDApals (FDA registration consultant), we provide you all FDA registration services with complete guidelines for UFI, how to obtain it, and how it impacts your US FDA food registration process.
What is UFI (Unique Facility Identifier) for FDA Registration?
A UFI (Unique Facility Identifier) is a unique code used by the US FDA to identify and verify food facilities during registration.
Currently, the FDA officially recognizes the DUNS Number (Data Universal Numbering System) as the UFI for FDA Food Facility Registration submissions.
In simple terms:- A UFI is like a digital identity of your business location that helps the FDA confirm that your facility actually exists and is legitimate.
The Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) is required for all food facilities that are involved in the manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding of food products for the US market.
The following business categories require a UFI (DUNS number):
Food Manufacturers:- Companies that manufacture food products for export to the US. Exporters:- Companies that supply food products to the US market
Packagers and Repackers:- Facilities that package or label food products
Storage and Warehousing Units:- Cold storage and warehousing units for food products
Importers (Indirect Requirement):- Importers must ensure that their suppliers have a valid UFI
Important:- Domestic and foreign facilities must comply with UFI requirements as per FSMA.
Yes, it is completely free to obtain a DUNS number when you apply for FDA Food Facility Registration.
It is completely free of cost
It takes 5-10 business days for approval
Fees may be applicable for expedited services, which are offered by third parties
👉 Warning:
Be aware that most companies charge unnecessary fees for a DUNS number, but it is completely free if you apply yourself.
How to Check if You Already Have a DUNS Number?
It is important to check if you already have a DUNS number before applying for a new one.
Go to the official Dun & Bradstreet website
Click on the “DUNS Number Lookup” option
Enter the following information:
Registered business address
Carefully review the search results
👉 If your business appears in the results:- Use the existing DUNS number
Do not apply for a new DUNS number (as it may lead to duplication issues)
👉 If your business is not in the results: – Apply for a new DUNS numbe
Why is UFI Required for FDA Food Facility Registration?
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) established the UFI standard in an effort to increase traceability and transparency.
Facilities are accurately identified
Duplicate or fraudulent registrations are avoided
Helps FDA track food supply chains
Enhances worldwide food safety adherence
Speeds up verification and approval.
FDA food facility registration may be denied or declared incomplete if you don’t have a valid UFI.
Step-by-Step Guidelines for: How to Obtain a UFI?
The following are the step-by-step guidelines for obtaining your UFI (DUNS number) in order to register your food facility with the FDA:
Step 1: Visit the Official DUNS Registration Portal
Go to the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) website for registration.
Step 2: Submit Business Details
Provide accurate information such as:
Facility address (must match FDA submission)
Step 3: Verification Process
D&B may contact you to verify your details.
Step 4: Receive Your DUNS Number
Usually issued within 5–10 business days.
Can take longer if the details are incorrect
This number can be used as your UFI during the FDA food registration procedure once it has been received.
DUNS Number (Important Explanation):
Dun & Bradstreet issued the nine-digit DUNS number, which is a globally recognized identification number.
Required for FDA food facility registration
Connects your company to a verified worldwide database
Needed for both domestic and international facilities
Used by numerous regulatory bodies worldwide
Important:- If your DUNS information does not match your FDA registration information, verification may not be successful.
UFI vs DUNS—What’s the Difference?
UFI vs DUNS comparison chart for FDA food facility registration
One of the most common questions businesses ask during the FDA food registration process is, “What is the difference between UFI and DUNS number?”
And the short answer is—they are not exactly the same, but currently, they are used interchangeably for FDA purposes.
Here is the detailed differentiation mentioned in the following table:Feature:UFI:DUNS Number:DefinitionGeneric identifier required by FDASpecific identifier issued by D&BIssued byNot issued directlyDun & BradstreetFDA UsageRequired fieldAccepted as UFIFormatNot fixed9-digit number
Why Does FDA Use DUNS as UFI?
The FDA chose DUNS because:
It provides verified business information.
It ensures global standardization.
It reduces fake or duplicate registrations.
It allows quick cross-verification of facility details.
This makes the FDA food facility registration process more transparent and efficient.
DUNS Number = Currently accepted UFI for FDA
Common Issues While Getting UFI:
While applying for a UFI (DUNS number), a small error or mistake may lead to businesses facing unnecessary delays in the FDA food registration process. Your US FDA registration may be rejected, or verification may fail due to even minor inconsistencies.
Here are some common issues that occur in getting UFI:
Using a Trading Name Instead of Legal Name:
Many companies mistakenly enter their brand or trading name instead of the official legal entity name. FDA and DUNS require your registered legal business name, not your brand name. This mismatch often leads to rejection or re-verification.
2. Mismatch in Business Name or Address:
One of the biggest reasons for delays is inconsistency in business details. If your company name or address in the DUNS application does not exactly match your FDA food facility registration, the FDA may not be able to verify your facility. Use the exact legal name and registered address.
3. Delays in Verification Response:
Sometimes, businesses fail to respond to verification emails or calls from D&B. This can significantly delay your UFI issuance and impact your timeline to register food facility with FDA.
4. Incorrect or Incomplete Contact Details:
Providing wrong email IDs, phone numbers, or contact person details can delay the verification process.
Ensure all contact details are: Active, accessible, and monitored regularly. D&B may contact you for verification, and missing this step can delay your FDA food registration process.
5. Duplicate DUNS Request Submissions:
Submitting multiple requests for the same facility can create duplicate entries in the system, causing confusion and delays. Always check if your business already has a DUNS number before applying.
Tip for maintaining complete consistency:
The FDA food facility registration process will be smooth, faster, and easier when businesses maintain consistency across all documents and submissions:
DUNS registration details
Legal and business documents
Even small differences (like abbreviations, spelling, or address format) can create issues.
How UFI Impacts FDA Registration Approval:
If you want your application to get approved smoothly without any delay, the Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) is one of the most important elements in the FDA food facility registration process.
1. Avoid Rejection or Delays
If your UFI is missing, incorrect, or mismatched (name, address, contact details), your registration may get rejected or stuck in verification.
2. Faster Approval Process
When your UFI details are accurate and match perfectly with your business information, the FDA can quickly validate your application—leading to faster approvals without unnecessary queries.
The FDA verifies your facility details by cross-checking your UFI (usually a DUNS number) with the Dun & Bradstreet database. This ensures your business is genuine, active, and properly registered.
4. Mandatory Compliance (FSMA)
Under FSMA regulations, providing a valid UFI is compulsory. Without it, your registration is considered incomplete.
In short:- Without a valid UFI, your FDA food facility registration is incomplete, non-compliant, and likely to be rejected.
Understanding UFI is not just a requirement—it’s a key factor in ensuring a smooth and successful US FDA food facility registration. Many businesses face delays or rejections simply because of small mistakes in UFI-related details.
If you ensure Correct DUNS registration
Matching business name, address, and contact details across all platforms
Proper and verified documentation
You can avoid the most common issues and significantly speed up your FDA registration process. A well-managed UFI means fewer errors, faster approvals, and hassle-free compliance with FDA regulations.
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