The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a public meeting, entitled “FDA Food Safety Modernization Act: Prevention-Oriented Import System Regulations and Implementation.” The public meeting will provide the public an opportunity to discuss import safety regulations and programs, including the Final Foreign Supplier Verification Program Rule and Third Party Auditor Rule.  The meeting will be held on March 21, 2016 from 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 importers and other interested persons an opportunity to discuss FDA’s comprehensive planning effort for the next phase of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act 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.

Public meeting attendees are encouraged to register online to attend the meeting in person or via live Webcast. For questions about registering for the meeting or to register by phone, contact Courtney Treece at 704-258-4983, FAX: 469-854-6992, 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, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 240-402-1731, e-mail: Juanita.Yates@fda.hhs.gov.

Registration and Additional Information

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 more information on FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act, visit http://www.fda.gov/fsma.

Please contact Erik Lieberman at erl1@liebermanpllc.com or 202.830.0300 if you have questions or would like additional information.