FDA Finalizes Guidance on the FSMA Voluntary Qualified Importer Program

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently finalized its guidance regarding the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) for food importers. Enacted under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), VQIP is a fee-based program that provides expedited entry for food from importers who have a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains. Participation is limited to food from foreign facilities that are certified by an accredited third-party auditor under FDA’s final rule on accreditation of third-party certification bodies.  FDA will begin accepting applications for VQIP on January 1, 2018 and the program will start operating during fiscal year 2019 (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019). The agency has not yet finalized the program fee.