On June 6, 2017, FDA announced it was extending the compliance dates for the agricultural water standards within the Produce Safety Rule[1] for produce other than sprouts. The Produce Safety Rule was issued to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Compliance had been required for the water standards as early as January 2020. Please…
On May 30, 2017, compliance begins for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Rule. This rule imposes sweeping new changes on food importers and requires review and assessment of the food safety practices of foreign suppliers and their compliance history. Foreign suppliers must be approved pursuant to a written program before sourcing. The rule also…
On May 30, 2017, compliance begins for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Rule. This rule imposes sweeping new changes on food importers and requires review and assessment of the food safety practices of foreign suppliers and their compliance history. Foreign suppliers must be approved pursuant to a written program before sourcing. The rule also…
The International Food Protection Institute (IFPTI) will be holding training for industry and regulators for the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) regulation March 14-15. The course will be held at the St. Petersburg, Florida offices of U.S. Food Imports. The FSVP regulation requires compliance activities to be performed by qualified…
On January 13, FDA announced it will be holding a hearing on public partnerships to enhance the safety of imported foods. This meeting will cover issues relevant to the Foreign Supplier Verification Program Rule. The meeting will be held at CFSAN in College Park, MD on February 14-15 from 9 am to 5 pm. More…
In November 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published draft guidance for industry on Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration (Seventh Edition). Pursuant to section 415 of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), all U.S. and foreign facilities that process, pack and hold food for consumption in the U.S. must registered…
On November 10, 2016, FDA published final guidance on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP). The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) required FDA to establish VQIP. VQIP is a voluntary, fee-based program that provides for expedited review and importation of foods from importers who import food from facilities and farms…
On July 27, 2016, Erik Lieberman of U.S. Food Imports LLC held a webinar on FDA’s final FSMA rule on food facility registration. The rule, published on July 14, 2016, makes major changes to the food facility registration process. Lieberman also discussed FDA’s proposed ACE rule as it relates to food products. A replay of…
On July 14, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published in the Federal Register the final rule on Amendments to Registration of Food Facilities (Final Rule). The Final Rule was issued to implement section 102 of the Food Safety Modernization Act and makes many significant changes to the food facility registration process. The Final…
U.S. Food Imports LLC (USFI) is pleased to announce that USFI President, Erik Lieberman, has been named to the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) International Subcommittee. The FSPCA is a public-private partnership created by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute for Food Safety and Health…