FDA Releases Final Guidance for Industry on Voluntary Qualified Importer Program for Food

On November 10, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its final guidance for industry on the voluntary qualified importer program (VQIP). The final guidance builds upon draft guidance issued in June 2015, as part of FDA’s implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA) mandate to establish a voluntary, fee-based program to provide for the expedited review and importation of food from importers who have demonstrated the safety and security of their supply chains. FDA will expedite the entry into the U.S. for all foods included in importers’ VQIP applications.