Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
Ruth Sheridan, New York Office, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) website consists of an in-depth informative profile explaining what can and can’t enter the U.S. from a food perspective. The below gives a general outline of some of the terms that will be introduced throughout the supply chain process in order to reach the U.S. for trade as an extension of a previous food alert.
The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the preventative system implemented for food safety to eliminate the risk of food illness. On May 30th, 2017 the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for importers of food was finalized. Irish suppliers must perform and present information that meets the applicable U.S. safety standards. This information resembles a risk-based or HACCP plan but must comply with standards set in the U.S.
If the owner of the food is not present in the U.S., the U.S. importer is responsible for ensuring the documentation is compliant with FDA standards. A signed statement of consent acknowledging responsibility must be presented. A brief outline of exemption is detailed here, allowing exceptions to be made for fish/ fishery products, juice/ juice products, food for research, types of meat, poultry and egg products etc.
Key rules that must be addressed by U.S. Importer are included under the following headings:
- Scope- Who is covered by the rule?
- Hazard Analysis- Identify where hazards are likely to occur
- Evaluation of Food Risk and Supplier Performance
- Supplier Verification- Activities the supplier should conduct
- Corrective actions- Corrective measures implemented if regulation not adhered to
- Unique Facility Identifier
Guidance for Applications based on food/ live animal is located here to help foreign suppliers prepare for information requested from the U.S. importers. A frequently Q&A is also available on the website relating to both FSMA and FSVP.