FDA To Hold Public Meeting on FSMA Import System Regulations

FDA will hold a public meeting, “FDA Food Safety Modernization Act: Prevention-Oriented Import System Regulations and Implementation,” to provide importers and other interested persons an opportunity to discuss import safety regulations and programs, including final rules for foreign supplier verification programs for importers of food for humans and animals and accreditation of third-party certification bodies. The meeting will be held March 21, 2016, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm at the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740.

Participants will also be briefed on the status of FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, which is still in development. Additionally, the public meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss FDA’s comprehensive planning effort for the next phase of FSMA implementation relating to import safety programs, which includes establishing the operational framework for these programs and plans for guidance documents, training, education, and technical assistance. The meeting is also designed to answer questions about these import programs and provide an opportunity for interested persons to make public comments.

Public meeting attendees are encouraged to register online to attend the meeting in person or via live webcast. For questions about registering, or to register by phone, contact Courtney Treece at 704-258-4983, fax 469-854-6992, or e-mail: ctreece@planningprofessionals.com. Early registration is strongly recommended because seating is limited.

For general questions about the meeting, to request an opportunity to make public comments, or request special accommodations due to a disability, contact Juanita Yates, FDA/CFSAN, 240-402-1731, e-mail: Juanita.Yates@fda.hhs.gov.

Please note the following important dates:

• March 7, 2016: Closing date for request to make Public Comment
• March 7, 2016: Closing date to request special accommodations due to a Disability
• March 14, 2016: Closing date for Advance Registration

For registration and additional information:

• Register Online 
• Federal Register Notice
• Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) Final Rule
• Accredited Third-Party Certification Final Rule