FDA Releases New Tools to Ensure Safety of Imported Food (United States)

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new fees to help ensure safety of imported food. The new tools support the new program under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that will help eligible foreign entities demonstrate that imported food meets U.S. food safety requirements.

Proposed Rules:

User Fee Program to Provide for Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors/Certification Bodies To Conduct Food Safety Audits and To Issue Certifications

The proposed rule will establish user fees for participation in the program scheduled to become final this fall. The proposed rule also establishes a program through which the FDA would recognize the entities that would accredit third-party auditors (also known as certification bodies) to conduct food safety audits and issue certifications.

Draft Guidance:

User Fee Program To Provide for Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors/Certification Bodies To Conduct Food Safety Audits and To Issue Certifications

The guidance aims to set of model standards containing education and experience recommendations for third-party auditors/certification bodies, and their auditing agents.

Both the proposed rules and draft guidance are open for public consultation until October 7, 2015.