The regulation on Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) (21 CFR part 1, subpart L (sections 1.500-1.514)) applies to U.S. importers of food. However, importers may request information from their foreign suppliers or others to meet their FSVP requirements.
Standard FSVP requirements include, but are not limited to,
- conducting hazard analyses for imported food,
- evaluating the food and the foreign supplier,
- determining and performing supplier verification activities,
- taking corrective actions (when necessary),
- ensuring importer identification at entry, and
- maintaining records.
In general, the importer will need to obtain assurances that its supplier is producing food using processes and procedures that provide the same level of public health protection as those required under the preventive controls requirements in
21 CFR part 117 or
507 or under the produce safety regulation
(21 CFR part 112), as well as assurances that the food is not adulterated and not misbranded with respect to allergen labeling (section 1.502(a)).