FDA Publishes VQIP Guidance

FDA has published  final guidance for industry for the voluntary, fee-based program to allow the expedited review and importation of foods into the U,S. from importers with a proven track record of food safety and security. The final guidance is in question-and-answer format to explain how this program will work.

The Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) will benefit both industry and consumers. Expedited entry provides importers an incentive to adopt a robust system of supply chain management and will allow FDA to focus its resources on examining and sampling food imports that are more likely to present a potential risk to public health.

 For more information, see:

• Final Guidance for Industry: FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
• Final Guidance Fact Sheet
• Instructions for Submitting the VQIP Application
• Webinar on the Final Guidance for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
• Federal Register Notice