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

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Ben England, Founder and CEO of Maryland-based international FDA consulting firm FDAImports.com, will be attending and presenting at IFEX Philippines 2013, a premier international sourcing hub for the finest ethnic Asian food, ingredients, and raw materials.  The show will be held at the SMX Convention Center, in Metro Manila, Philippines, from May 16 – 19.  Mr. England will be offering three presentations discussing the ins and outs of USDA, FDA, and US Customs compliance.

Two of Mr. England’s presentations are directed at exporters, manufacturers and other industry members: the first concerning food … READ MORE

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1. Does my product comply with federal law?
The USDA administers the National Organic Program (“NOP”). NOP regulations set out the requirements for the handling, certification, processing, composition, and labeling of organic products.  Products labeled as “organic” or “100% Organic” have one set of labeling and certifying requirements. Products labeled as “Made with Organic” (i.e., ≥70% organic ingredients) have another set of requirements. Finally, products declaring the presence of organic ingredients in the ingredient list are exempt from certification, but have other restrictions.

2. Does my product … READ MORE

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FDAImports.com recently assisted a Chinese company with removal from FDA Import Alert 53-17, “Detention Without Physical Examination of Cosmetics Due to Microbiological Contamination.”  This case is of particular interest, because it is a reminder that FDA makes mistakes too. In this case, FDA wrongly added the company to Import Alert even though the cosmetic presented no actual safety risk or violation.

FDA Import Alert 53-17 is a very common Import Alert for cosmetic products with China, Mexico, and Canada having the most companies listed.  Typically, an Import Alert listing comes … READ MORE

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The FDAImports.com team has wrapped up another intensive exhibiting experience at Natural Products Expo East 2012 – the East Coast’s premier event for organic manufacturers, distributors, buyers and press to connect, network and discuss trends and issues affecting the natural products industry.  This year the FDAImports.com team came back to exhibit as the over-the-top fake juice company, Live Forever Juice.  With twice the booth space, double the team and hundreds of T-Shirts and handouts, this year’s event was truly an unforgettable experience and … READ MORE

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FDAImports.com is pleased to announce 5 new labeling websites that we have developed in order to provide a fast, turn-key solution for preventing labeling errors before they happen.  Our new label review websites allow users in any FDA-regulated industry to quickly and easily upload their label and packaging graphic files and have them reviewed for FDA compliance by our team.  We’ve set up a streamlined process that will allow users to easily upload their label files for free, get a reasonable and flat-rate estimate, pay online and receive a … READ MORE

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If a labor dispute between U.S. seaport workers and port managers is not resolved before an impending September 30th deadline, then October 1 will represent more than the start of a new Federal Government Fiscal Year. It will also mark the start of a new import/export trade crisis that will make the last 12 months of U.S. economic problems pale in comparison, according to FDAImports.com. The looming shut down of many Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast ports will not only raise the costs of holiday merchandise but also gridlock … READ MORE

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FDA consulting firm, FDAImports.com, has won another substantial victory for a client on FDA Import Alert, this time for Import Alert 53-17, Detention Without Physical Examination of Cosmetics Due to Microbiological Contamination.  A Chinese company bringing in eye shadow to the United States found themselves on this import alert when their shipment was stopped at a U.S. port.  The charge stated that the product appeared to “contain a poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health.”  The company … READ MORE

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FDAImports.com and ExportToUsa.com.cn Founder and CEO, Benjamin England, was recently invited to join the China International Aquatic Products Network as an official expert resource for FDA regulation and imports to the United States.  In this capacity he will assist CIAPN and its members with FDA compliance issues, specifically, seafood and aquaculture compliance. CIAPN is sponsored by the China Aquatic Processing and Marketing Association, which serves Chinese seafood manufacturers and producers.

CIAPN has also published research and articles from FDAImports.com and ExportToUsa.com.cn on a variety of FDA compliance and … READ MORE

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FDAImports.com’s success rate continues to increase, as it successfully petitions FDA to remove yet another client from Import Alert—this time, Import Alert #45-02, “Detention Without Physical Examination and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors.”

FDA placed a Mexican manufacturer of flavoring concentrates and extracts for use in beverages on Import Alert #45-02 in 2002, because one of its concentrates was found to contain Brilliant Blue FCF (certifiable as FD&C Blue No.1), which the company failed to … READ MORE

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Are you a cosmetics manufacturer or importer bringing in product to the United States?  The FDA is serious about regulating cosmetics, especially when it comes to color additives (see chart).  Make sure you’re not making one of these common mistakes when it comes to importing your cosmetic products into the USA. The four most common mistakes are:

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1.  Using a color additive that is not FDA-Approved.  Many manufacturers use a color additive that is … READ MORE

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