FDA posts guidance for U.S. dairy producersÆ exports to Chile
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has revised its guidance for American dairy product manufacturers interested in exporting to Chile.
The guidance explains that FDA has sent a list of interested producers to the Chilean government and posted a copy to its Web site: http://www.fda.gov. The FDA list also identifies dairy product manufacturers that are subject to the agency’s jurisdiction, but are not part of pending judicial enforcement actions or awaiting warning letters.
As part of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, Chile has recognized the FDA as the competent U.S. food safety authority and has accepted the U.S. regulatory system for dairy inspections. Chile has concluded that it will not require individual inspections of U.S. firms by Chile as a prerequisite for trade, but will accept firms identified by FDA as eligible to export to Chile.
FDA said the list is not mandatory, but warned that Chile has advised it may delay or prevent unlisted U.S. dairy firms from shipping to Chile.
In addition, the guidance document describes the recommended process for U.S. manufacturers to follow to be included on the list and explains the agency’s request on Chile’s behalf that this information be updated every two years.