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| Tuesday, 2 December 2003 |
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New FDA regulations for food exporters to US Exporters who manufacture, process, pack or hold food products for the US from December 12, must register with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provide the FDA prior notice of the content of their shipments. The FDA's registration system, one of the key provisions of the US Public Health Security and Bioterorrism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act), is part of a regulation that requires domestic and foreign food facilities to register with the agency by December 12,an US Embassy press release said. In addition to the registration rule, the FDA issued a second regulation to enhance the safety and security of the food supply. That rule requires that the FDA be provided advance notice of shipments of human and animal food being exported or offered for export to the US, also effective as of December 12, 2003. This notification must be done electronically through the existing Customs automated service, or directly with FDA. The time frame for notification varies with the mode of transport, but must be within five days of arrival. The FDA's new electronic registration system for food facilities is available online at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/ furls/ovffreg.html. The system is designed to make it easier for food exporters to comply with the new law. "Registering online is fast and simple. Our site is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, available to anyone with access to the internet." U.S. Commissioner for Food and Drugs Mark B. McClellan, said. The FDA is encouraging electronic registration because it is faster and more efficient than paper registration. Each firm registering online will instantly receive its unique registration number, which will be required for doing business in the US. Exporters will not be charged for registration, which is a one-time procedure. Nearly 20% of all imports into the US are food and food products. The US government passed the Bioterrorism Act as part of its ongoing effort to combat terrorism. The law requires the FDA receive prior notice of import shipments to allow for more effective inspections, and therefore to help protect the food supply against terrorist acts and other public health emergencies. |
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