Second phase of FDA bioterror enforcement to begin this week
The U.S. Food and Drug Enforcement Agency will step up the level of enforcement of new security rules governing food imports on Thursday.
The rules issued late last year are designed to help the agency better monitor food shipments and potential bioterrorism threats to the food supply. Importers are required to file notice of intent to enter food products into the country no more than five days prior to arrival, and all overseas food facilities must register with the agency.
During the first phase of enforcement, FDA and Customs and Border Protection focused on helping violators improve the timeliness and accuracy of their data transmissions, unless intelligence analysis determined that a shipment posed a specific threat.
In the second phase of enforcement, through Aug. 12, shipments will be denied entry unless prior notice has been filed. Inspectors will continue to educate companies in cases in which inaccurate and untimely notices, or food facilities are unregistered. Repeat offenders will be subject to fines and penalties.
After Aug. 12, all shipments not in compliance are subject to being denied entry.