Food Modernization Safety Act – Re-Registering your Facility with the FDA

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By April Collier, Pacific Customs Brokers (USA) Jul 04, 2012

If your firm engages in the manufacture or processing, packing or holding of food, beverages, or dietary supplements for either human or animal consumption, and those goods are destined for the United States, you are required to register with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Foreign facilities must also designate a U.S. agent for FDA communications purposes.

The registration regulations apply to all facilities that handles any of the following:

• Dietary supplements and dietary ingredients
• Infant formula
• Beverage – including alcoholic beverages and bottled water
• Fruits and vegetables
• Fish and seafood
• Dairy products and shell eggs
• Raw agricultural commodities for use as food or components of food
• Canned and frozen foods
• Bakery goods, snack food, and candy – including chewing gum
• Live food animals
• Animal feeds and pet food

The Food Modernization Safety Act requires that all food facilities that are required to register must renew their registration every other year, beginning in 2012. The first registration renewal cycle will occur from October 1 to December 31, 2012. All facilities will be required to re-register every two years thereafter.

We all know how quickly summer wanes and fall comes back around, and October will be here before we know it. Now might be a good time to review the information submitted on your original FDA registration and to be prepared to make any adjustments or amendments that may be necessary. While official re-registration will not be accepted until October 2012, the FDA encourages you to review and update your registration information regularly. To electronically update your facility registration, on the FDA web page.

Be aware that there are a number of private firms who are available to handle your registration for a fee, however the above link will take you directly to the FDA site, and there is no charge to register or update or re-register your facility. This allows you to retain control over the information that is provided to the FDA, and to make necessary updates promptly.

As always, ABC Customs Brokers is pleased to assist you with your questions and discuss how these regulations affect your firm. We can assist you in understanding your legal options and help cut through the red tape of importing to the United States.