On February 4, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a withhold release order against tuna and tuna products from the Tunago No. 61 based on information obtained by CBP indicating tuna is harvested with the use of forced labor. …

U.S. CBP Detention Order on Tuna Harvested by Forced Labor Aboard the Tunago No. 61 Read more »

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will host a series of four public webinar presentations on the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to review the traceability data elements required for reporting, as well as recordkeeping requirements to support the …

NMFS SIMP Audits Webinars Read more »

Background: SIMP established reporting and recordkeeping requirements for imports of certain seafood products to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated and/or misrepresented seafood from entering U.S. **On January 1st, 2018, SIMP declaration has been mandated for the following priority species: Atlantic …

Seafood Import Monitoring Program for Shrimp and Abalone Read more »

With the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) deadline of May 30, 2017 approaching closer, you may be thinking, “Where do I start?” If you have not heard already, the FSVP program is a fundamental feature of the Food Safety Moderation …

Have No Fear, FSVP Courses are Here! Read more »

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is a labeling law that requires retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets and club warehouse stores, to notify their customers with information regarding the source of certain foods. Food products covered by the law …

Seafood: COOL! (Country of Origin Labeling) Read more »

Reminder from FDA: October 1, 2016 12:01AM through December 31, 2016 12:59PM Section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. § 350d] requires food facilities that are required to register with FDA to renew …

Reminder: U.S. FDA Facilities Biennial Registration Renewal (December 2016) Read more »

On August 15, 2016, we sent a newsletter about the final rule of consolidating the seafood permit under National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS). These three programs (TTVR, HMS and AMR) will now operate under a  single International Fisheries Trade Permit …

Instructions on How to Apply an International Fisheries Trade Permit For Certain Seafood Products Read more »

The National Marine Fisheries Services issued a final rule that will require three programs under NMFS to obtain a single International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP). This will take in effect on September 20, 2016. The three programs under NMFS below …

New Consolidated Seafood Permit under National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) To Take Effect September 20, 2016 Read more »

According to FDA, they will inspect FSVP importers to ensure they are  in compliance. The compliance dates must be noted below: May 30, 2017 For the importation of food from a supplier that is subject to the preventive controls or …

Final Rule on Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals under FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) and Its Compliance Dates Read more »

Last week, we sent a newsletter regarding National Marine Fisheries Services new requirements for processing customs clearance electronically. Since Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will be transitioning in ACE on June 15, 2016 and USDA (APHIS CORE) will be transitioning …

Mandatory Transition in ACE: Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and APHIS CORE (USDA) Requirements Read more »