FDA Finally Releases Initial Framework For Food Importation "VQIP"

As many readers of this blog know, the start of 2011 saw the enactment of a massive bill aimed at overhauling the nation's food safety system to become more preventive instead of reactive to safety problems and illness outbreaks. Among the numerous significant new regulations, requirements, and programs that are being implemented under the authorities granted by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the so-called Voluntary Qualified Importer Program or VQIP. On June 4, 2015, FDA finally released a draft VQIP guidance document for industry that lays out the scope of VQIP, the criteria for participation and the application process, and the actions FDA will take if a participating importer is found to be out of compliance with the conditions of participation.