FSMA Fridays: Foreign Supplier Verification Program (Part Three Of Four)

Check out the entire webcast or read Part One and Part Two of this series

In Part Two of FSMA Fridays: Foreign Supplier Verification Program, SafetyChain Software’s VP of Marketing, Jill Bender was joined by The Acheson Group’s (TAG) Senior Food Safety Manger, Christopher Snabes, to discuss FSMA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). Here, in Part Three, the duo continues their conversation continue addressing FSVP, including the education required for a Qualified Individual.

Jill: What should companies the rule does not apply to be aware of?

Christopher: Companies need to be aware that if their importer's providing food or ingredients that do not require an FSVP because the manufacturer will be controlling the hazard here in the U.S., that it still must be disclosed in the documents that come with the food. Letters of assurance will be required in May of 2019 between the manufacturer and the importer and that's going to be done annually. That will disclose that the hazard will be controlled by either the manufacturer or the manufacturers supply chain.

Another impact is there's a potential misuse of the DUNS number by an importer without the manufacturer’s knowledge. It's very important that there is a good working and open communication between the manufacturer and its importer broker.

Another important thing: manufacturers must determine who will be designated as the FSVP importer well in advance of shipping food, so that FSVP requirements can be met and no difficulties will occur when the food is imported.