FSMA: Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP)

The Foreign Supplier Verification Program, or FSVP, is one part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (2011). Published on November 27, 2015, this portion of FSMA deals with the requirements surrounding food safety of imported goods intended for human consumption in the US. Historically, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has been responsible for certifying imported foods and ensuring their safety through sampling and testing programs, supplier registrations and on-site audits. Now, the burden of assurance is being shifted to the importer, but the FDA definition of “importer” is not necessarily the same as the colloquial definition – these important distinctions will be discussed in the course.

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Why D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc.? Our workshop is based on the FSPCA’s curriculum, which is the ONLY curriculum recognized as adequate by FDA for the FSVP. This course is offered as a two-day program. We will delve into the requirements of the FSVP, including the definitions of terms such as “importer” and “supplier”, the responsibilities of each party in the food chain, and actions that foreign suppliers will need to take to ensure their products are considered safe and acceptable for distribution in the US food chain.

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What are the specific requirements? In a nutshell, the supplier must provide foods that are manufactured and stored under conditions that provide the same level of public health protection as the Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. The food must also be compliant with allergen labeling requirements and not be considered “adulterated” in the official meaning of the word. We will explain what each of these requirements means, the implications of the law and how your suppliers or importers can expect to comply.

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This is a new day in food safety in the United States. The FDA now has expanded enforcement abilities related to food safety in the US, and it is expected they will take advantage of this fact by regulating strictly and ensuring compliance. It will be crucial that importers and suppliers fully understand all the implications of this legislation, which parts apply, and how to demonstrate compliance and maintain the appropriate records to ensure successful continuation of business activities in the US.