As part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, FDA requires that entities importing human and animal food into the US verify that it has been produced in compliance with FDA regulations. A Foreign Supplier Verification Program includes documentation indicating how foreign suppliers are evaluated and approved in order to meet FDA requirements. Approximately 50% of importers have not developed a FSVP, leading to shipments being delayed upon import. Delayed shipments in the fresh produce segment can be costly in lost product and subpar quality.
What is an FSVP?
It is a written plan detailing how the importer verifies that foreign suppliers meet the FDA food safety requirements. While FDA has not provided specific forms to be used, the plan must contain the following elements:
- Importer must have a qualified individual who has been trained in hazard analysis and FSVP to develop the program and approve suppliers.
- Suppliers must have a hazard analysis in place indicating that they have considered microbial, chemical and physical hazards to the food and they have controls in place for the identified hazards.
- The importer’s qualified individual must develop documentation to show suppliers have been evaluated and approved by the importer.
- Additionally, suppliers must be verified either by a third party audit or by an onsite visit from the importer’s qualified individual.
Guidance for industry can be found at the link to the FDA guidance below:
https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-foreign-supplier-verification-programs-importers-food-humans-and-animals
How do I comply with FSVP requirements?
Once the importer – supplier relationship has been defined, the first step is to obtain an appropriate hazard analysis from each supplier that considers microbiological, chemical and physical hazards related to the product. The importer’s qualified individual must review the hazard analysis and determine its efficacy. After review of the hazard analysis, the supplier must be evaluated and approved. Suppliers must then be verified annually either by onsite audits by the importer or by third party audits.
Koenig Food Safety LLC can save you time and money by developing your Foreign Supplier Verification Program, evaluating suppliers and providing the necessary documentation. Contact Koenig Food Safety, LLC at Koenigfoodsafety@gmail.com or (559)967-8176 to discuss your program.