The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing final guidance for industry for a voluntary, fee-based program to allow the expedited review and importation of foods into the United States from importers with a proven track record of food safety and security. The final guidance is in question-and-answer format to explain how this program will work.
The Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) will benefit both industry and consumers. Expedited entry provides importers an incentive to adopt a robust system of supply chain management and will allow FDA to focus its resources on examining and sampling food imports that are more likely to present a potential risk to public health.
This guidance document describes FDA’s policy regarding participation in FDA’s VQIP by importers of food for humans or animals. This document provides guidance on:
- The benefits VQIP importers can expect to receive
- The eligibility criteria for VQIP participation
- Instructions for completing a VQIP application
- Conditions that may result in revocation of participation in VQIP, and
- Criteria for VQIP reinstatement following revocation.
Resources:
Final Guidance for Industry: FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
Instructions for Submitting the VQIP Application
Webinar on the Final Guidance for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
