FSVP basics for food importers

The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) is an FDA rule under FSMA (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart L) that requires US importers to verify that their foreign suppliers produce food meeting US safety standards.

Who must comply:

• Anyone importing food (human or animal) into the United States who acts as the FSVP importer of record
• This is usually the US owner or consignee at the time of entry, or a designated US agent

Required activities (high level):

1. Conduct a hazard analysis for each food
2. Evaluate foreign supplier performance based on hazard severity
3. Establish appropriate supplier verification activities — onsite audits, sampling/testing, or supplier records review
4. Use a qualified individual to perform FSVP activities
5. Maintain records of all activities for at least 2 years
6. Conduct corrective actions when problems are identified

INFO: FSVP is enforced at the port of entry. CBP and FDA can detain shipments for missing or insufficient FSVP records. Aleph's FSVP module generates an inspection-ready bundle of all records per supplier.