FDAImports.com successfully obtained an FDA Release of an entry of dates which contained an adulterating pesticide, even though the law technically prohibits bringing foods adulterated with pesticides into the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency establishes pesticide- and food-specific thresholds, called tolerances, viz., the maximum amount of pesticide a product may contain and yet be legal to offer for sale in the U.S. If EPA has not established a tolerance for a particular pesticide on a particular food, then the law gives FDA the right to detain the food at the port of … READ MORE

FDAImports.com, LLC and Benjamin L. England and Associates, LLC continue to expand in their efforts to provide quick, competent, satisfying legal and regulatory counsel to FDA- and USDA-regulated companies around the world.  Join us as we welcome an attorney, a regulatory specialist, and two administrative associates.

Ge Song

Ge is an attorney with Benjamin L. England & Associates, LLC practicing Food and Drug Law, with a dual legal education: she holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China, and both a Master of Laws in Intellectual … READ MORE

USDA’s most recent installment in its series of blogs called Organic 101, which teaches readers about many different aspects of USDA Organic regulations, addresses the question of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Organic products.  For an establishment or product to be certified USDA Organic, the product must at no time come into any contact with GMOS.  The blog also briefly discusses some tactics that organic farmers and manufacturers use to ensure the purity of their organic products.

Can GMOs Be Used in Organic Products?

Organic products and GMOs are a very hot issue … READ MORE

FDAImports.com again successfully obtained a Green Ticket for a manufacturer from Import Alert 99-29 (automatic detention of all vegetable protein products from China for melamine). The team of experienced regulatory professionals at FDAImports.com understood the manufacturer’s practices and successfully argued that it deserved a Green Ticket for this Import Alert. After careful consideration, FDA promptly exempted the manufacturer from Import Alert 99-29.

This success demonstrates that FDA continues to grant Green Tickets for Import Alert 99-29 when a firm has the proper controls. For five years … READ MORE

Ben England and Olivia Zuniga of FDAImports.com, an international FDA consulting firm, had a fantastic experience attending and presenting at IFEX Philippines.  During the exhibition, Mr. England presented two expert trainings; on the first day, he spoke to industry members concerning the export and regulation of foods/beverages, alternative medicines, dietary supplements, and cosmetics; on the second, Mr. England’s presentation was created for the food, drug, cosmetic, and dietary supplement regulators in the Philippines, and discussed how the U.S. governs and controls these products when imported.

“We were very excited to be able to … READ MORE

On June 10th and 11th, Ben England will be in Manila, Philippines again, providing two more days of free regulatory training for Philippine exporters of foods, beverages, dietary supplements, drugs, alternative medicines (such as homeopathic products) and cosmetics. FDAImports.com is working with the Philippines Department of Agriculture to provide expert regulatory guidance for companies exporting FDA-regulated products to the USA, or those interested in learning how to import food and beverages, dietary supplements, drugs and cosmetics. During the morning session each day, Mr. England will explain the regulatory compliance requirements for importing … READ MORE

The food industry is abuzz with the news that Chinese food giant Shuanghui International has announced its intent to purchase Smithfield Foods, America’s largest pork producer.  Because Shuanghui was involved in a food-safety scandal in China two years ago, some groups oppose the purchase, concerned that Shuanghui’s acquisition of Smithfield will lead to unsafe food products being imported from China, or will lead to a degradation of food-safety standards at Smithfield’s domestic facilities, due to new Chinese ownership.

Rick Quinn, a Principal at FDAImports.com, an international FDA consulting firm dealing extensively with the … READ MORE

When the Bioterrorism Act was passed in 2002, a provision was included called “Prohibition of Port Shopping”. The provision did nothing of the sort. Rather, it deemed as adulterated a food that had been previously imported and refused, and then re-imported, unless the importer provided affirmative evidence that the food complied with the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). In that regard, the provision did the opposite: It created a way to re-import previously refused food. FDAImports.com routinely used that provision to obtain admission into the USA for imported food that FDA … READ MORE

The International Boston Seafood Show just keeps growing. This year, the show had nearly 1000 exhibitors, with many educational panels, attendees, and opportunities for business and B2B networking.   The Boston Seafood Show provides the seafood industry each year with a unique opportunity to source, supply and connect with each other. Ben England and Rick Quinn from FDAImports.com and Shelly Li, from ExportToUSA.com.cn, attended the show this year.

Mr. England presented alongside FDA’s John Verbeten (Division of Import Operations) in a key Panel Discussion entitled “Seafood Safety and Compliance with FDA and … READ MORE

In response to a request from the State of Queensland, Australia, FDAImports.com partnered with Trade and Investment Queensland to present a webinar entitled “How to Successfully Export FDA and USDA Regulated Products to the United States.”  The webinar was a fantastic success, with more than 20 companies registered after only minimal marketing.

Ben England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports.com, and Rick Quinn, Principal of FDAImports.com, presented for an hour on the US Agencies, the import process, and the regulations and pitfalls involved.  Following the presentation, there was a productive Q&A session, … READ MORE

FDAImports.com has opened a new expansion office in Manila, Philippines.  Manila is strategically located to allow FDAImports.com to handle client needs in the South Pacific – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.  The United States is one of the Philippines’ top trading partners, importing billions of dollars of machinery, apparel, and agricultural products.  “The Philippines export prime agricultural products to the United States,” said Ben England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports.com, “such as tropical oils, sugar cane, processed fruit and vegetables, tree nuts, and fruit and vegetable juices.”

“FDA’s regulatory interest in … READ MORE