Articles

Customs Alert - Proposed Legislation Imported Foods Update

By Carl Soller

Oct. 3, 2007

This Alert is being sent as a follow-up to our Customs Alert dated August 24, 2007, entitled, Proposed Legislation – Imported Foods. As previously indicated, Congress is currently considering legislation designed to create increased scrutiny of all imported foods. Despite the potentially significant effects this legislation, if passed, would have on all importers of food products, with the exception of the Association of Food Industries, the food importing community seemingly has failed to share any of its concerns with Congress.   

Additionally, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (“GMA”) has recently unveiled its latest proposal, “The Four Pillars of Food Safety,” which is designed to improve “the system governing the safety of food and food ingredients imported into the United States.” As part of the proposal, for example, all food importers would be required to implement a “foreign supplier quality assurance program” which would be monitored and enforced by the FDA.  

While greater assurances of the safety of all imported food products is high priority for both importers and consumers alike, it is important for food importers to review the proposed legislation and GMA proposal and to comment on both the efficiency and practicality of the proposed language.  

The Customs Alert is sent to you as a service of the Cowan Liebowitz & Latman Customs Practice Group.  Our desire is to better service international trade community. Your comments regarding this newsletter are appreciated.   If you would like additional information please contact: C.J. Erickson, 212.790.9200 (cje@cll.com) or Carl R. Soller, 212.790.9200 (crs@cll.com).  

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