Are you prepared for FDA facility inspection at your facility?

by John Smith Digital Marketing Expert

The FDA may conduct an inspection of your facility if you export food products to the United States of America, to verify your level of compliance with applicable regulations, such as preventive controls for food for human and animal consumption and the defense of food. These FDA facility inspections can be routine as part of an investigation or in response to a reported problem.

First question in regards

Can the system be certified through the law for a hotel that provides food outside the US and whose main tourists are from the US and Europe?

No, this law is specific to the food industry, food preparers such as hotels, restaurants and fast food establishments by definition of their activities cannot obtain a registration with the FDA, the law applies to facilities that manufacture food and that these are exported to US territory.

Second question in regards

In the case of export of raw vegetables, is this law applicable in its entirety?

For this industry the applicable law is “Produce Safety”, the audit process is similar but with the review focus on this law. Food safety and food defense coordinators have to be Qualified Individuals for applicable regulations. One way to become qualified individuals is through specific training on the aforementioned laws.

How is an inspection carried out?

The packages are checked physically for integrity and with the declaration of allergens, ingredients and other useful information for the consumer to comply with the FDA labeling guide. The product can be sampled for analysis in a laboratory authorized by the FDA to find out that it does not present contamination by pathogens, heavy metals, pesticides, allergens, etc, and complies with regulations. The authority determines the tests that will be carried out. As a recommendation, it is necessary that you have this information to carry out tests with a laboratory that has the necessary accreditations for the tests.

How can I raise food fraud non-compliance?

Food fraud non-conformities are generally made through import alerts. This information is public and can be found on the site. As part of the preventive controls law, it is required to assess adulteration for economic purposes and if there is a risk to health, appropriate controls are established. Another way would be through laboratory tests if the declared content does not correspond to the tests or an adulterant is found. Consult with an expert to know more on food defense and FDA readiness inspections.