New Portal Helps With FSVP Compliance Needs
By Bobbi Hobson, PCQI, FSVP Compliance Director, The Radius Group, Inc.
As importers look to fulfill the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Food Safety Verification Program (FSVP) requirements, electronic systems can ease the process considerably. At The Radius Group, Inc. where we serve as an FSVP Importer, our new web-based portal is enabling producers to more readily supply the information that we need to evaluate and verify their food safety plans which must be in accordance with U.S. food safety standards. Through this portal, a food producer can also keep track of the progress being made towards FSVP compliance. More than a dozen international exhibitors importing food samples for a recent trade show used this system for the first time to furnish their information to us, and TRGI was able to verify each food entry in time to exhibit at the show.
At the core of the FSVP mandate is the need to supply thorough documentation proving compliance, as well as ongoing record keeping. With TRGI’s proprietary system, the producer can login and communicate directly with us, the FSVP Importer. We issue requests for information through the portal so that the producer can furnish the data needed to verify their food safety plans. These requests will be related to: Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP’s), which includes plants and grounds, building, equipment and maintenance, pest control, personnel, sanitation, receiving and storage. Due to FDA requirements, FSVP Importers must verify the foreign supplier’s procedures, processes and practices related to the safety of food, as well as the creation of a well-developed hazard analysis for each food imported. We also evaluate the supplier’s food safety history, including responsiveness in correcting any past problems.
This portal is especially helpful for smaller producers that are not certified by a third party , such as BRC (British Retail Consortium) or IFS (International Food Standard). Through use of the portal, TRGI can verify that their procedures are complementary to U.S. food safety regulation, specifically that they follow the Current Good Manufacturing processes.
All records are kept in the producer’s electronic file (i.e. food labels, audit reports and certificates, sampling analysis reports, and product specifications) so that the producer can also meet the record-keeping requirements of FSVP law, specifically that any record requested by the FDA is available within 24 hours and could go two years back. By keeping the pertinent files collected electronically, a producer can respond swiftly in the event of an FDA inquiry.
For producers that have more than one manufacturer, the program automatically sends e-mails requesting detailed information about their processes. The system keeps track of these requests and the tasks required and will send any necessary reminders to the manufacturers right up until the deadline date.
TRGI secured FSVP approval for 16 foreign exhibitors at the Winter Fancy Food Show. Food products ranged from Belgian chocolates to sauces and rice from Italy, ham from Spain, fish from Greece and candied fruit and cheese snacks from Latvia. For 21 other exhibitors, TRGI also verified that their third party FSVP Importer had approved the food safety plans listed on the producer’s commercial invoice.
While the new portal provides the means for an efficient exchange of information, TRGI reminds international exhibitors that it is critical to have adequate time for the FSVP process. Importers who plan to exhibit at a U.S. food show can receive an early registration discount if they contact TRGI for FSVP services a minimum of 90 days prior to the show. Early planning is important as FSVP approval depends on many variables. TRGI also advises importers to consult with a U.S. Customs Broker prior to the start of the process to ensure that all permits and licenses are up-to-date particularly those required for seafood and meat products.
The Radius Group, Inc. (TRGI) is a U.S- based FSVP Importer located in Elizabeth, New Jersey – in the same building as the Port Newark offices of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. TRGI is the preferred FSVP Importer regulatory partner for food and beverage trade show exhibitions in North America. In addition to food safety and FDA food and beverage facility registration, TRGI also acts as a basic importer of alcoholic beverages. The TRGI team also serves as a drug and medical device information agent on behalf of foreign manufacturers importing into the U.S. for trade show exhibition, distribution or sale, or for import processing and then export. In the United States + (201) 400-6616 and on the web at TheRadiusGroupInc.com