USA: VQIP Guidance for Industry

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a guidance document that describes FDA’s policy regarding participation in FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) by importers of food for humans or animals.The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires FDA to establish a voluntary, fee-based program for the expedited review and importation of foods from importers who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains. This control includes importation of food from facilities that have been properly certified.The document provides guidance on:

• The benefits VQIP importers can expect to receive;
• The eligibility criteria for VQIP participation;
• Instructions for completing a VQIP application;
• Conditions that may result in revocation of participation in VQIP; and
• Criteria for VQIP reinstatement following revocation.

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