Shellstock Tag Retention — Nationwide (FDA Food Code)
Restaurants serving molluscan shellfish must keep the shellstock identification tags for 90 days after the container is emptied.
What it is. Raw molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, scallops in the shell) must come from an approved, certified source and arrive with a shellstock identification tag. Under the FDA Food Code §3-203.12 (adopted by your state), you must retain each tag for 90 calendar days from the date the container is emptied, in chronological order, so an illness investigation can trace a lot back to its source.
Who enforces it. Your state/local health department, under the FDA Food Code and the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP). It applies the same way nationwide; only the inspecting authority differs.
When it applies. Any time you serve molluscan shellfish.
How to comply. Keep tags attached to the container until it is empty; then date the tag and file it. Keep tags 90 days. Do not commingle shellfish from different tags in one container.
What SpoonSeal tracks. The shellstock tags you upload, kept for the 90-day retention window, with reminders as tags age out.
References
- FDA Food Code — Shellstock, Maintaining Identification (§3-203.12) — https://www.fda.gov/food/retail-food-protection/fda-food-code — Official source last checked: 2026-07-03
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.