FDA

An Importers Friend in Regulatory Responsibility

The U.S. government has created various programs that allow for fair and safe trade.   These programs and the agencies that enforce them have allowed the U.S. to maintain its leadership in global commerce.  If these programs were not in place, goods would blindly enter the U.S. marketplace without any regulation.  This would cause unfair advantages, allow unsafe and sub-par products to enter our marketplace, and would ultimately lead to a dangerously unstructured and unmonitored commerce system.  Regulation is essential to provide for a safe and fair marketplace, and importers need to realize that these regulations are in place for the benefit of society as a whole.

One such agency is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  According to the FDA, its purpose is to ensure that the foods and drugs that enter U.S. markets are “…safe, sanitary, and labeled according to U.S. requirements.”  Food or drug shipments that do not comply with U.S. FDA requirements will not be allowed to enter the U.S. market.

As an importer of food or drugs, it is essential to know what goods are subject to FDA regulations.  The FDA states “With the exception of most meat and poultry, all food, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, medical devices, and electronic products that emit radiation, as defined in the FD&C and related Acts, are subject to examination by FDA when they are being imported or offered for import into the United States.”  For more comprehensive information, visit the FDA’s website.

In 2002 the FDA was elected to head The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act.  This Act was implemented for the main purpose of taking additional steps to ensure that the public is safe from a terrorist attack on U.S. food supply.  In response to this Act, the FDA has applied a few more regulations.  First, food facilities must be registered with the FDA, and second, the FDA must be given advance notification for shipments of imported food and food related products.  This will allow the FDA to work more closely with Customs Border & Protection (CBP) in order to safeguard against terrorist attacks on U.S. food sources.

When it comes to safety and fair practices, it is essential for the U.S. government to intervene in the form of regulatory programs.  These programs are not in place to cause more angst for importers.  They are needed, and they are essential to maintain a healthy marketplace.  In fact, without these regulatory practices, importing would be as messy as a kindergartener on cake day!