Under the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 and the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, facilities which engage in the manufacturing, processing, packing or holding of food which is to be consumed in the United States, must register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, these facilities are required to reaffirm the information submitted by renewing their registration during the fourth quarter of every even numbered year. Facilities subject to these requirements must submit their renewal information this year between October 1st – December 31st. Beginning on January 1, 2017, if a foreign food facility is required to register with FDA, but fails to do so, food from that facility that is being imported or offered for import into the US is subject to be held under Section 801(l) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act. In addition, failure to fulfill this requirement may result in the suspension or cancellation of a facilities registration number.
The FDA’s registration and renewal page may be accessed by clicking on the link below.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FoodFacilityRegistration/default.htm.
In addition to registration, foreign based facilities must select a US agent to act on their behalf. The “agent” assumes responsibility for communication between the FDA and the foreign facility in the event of a food related emergency. Deringer is proud to offer this service as well as assistance with facility registration and other food related matters. Please feel free to contact Deringer’s Compliance Department at (518) 298-8281 or e-mail fda@anderinger.com.