US bioterrorism deadline for exporters

By LIAM DANN

New Zealand food and beverage companies that export to the US have just 13 days left to register with the Federal Drug Administration or face the prospect of having their products turned back.

New rules relating to all food and beverages entering the US come into force on December 12.

They are designed to counter the risk of bioterrorism and all exporters to the US must register at the agency's website.

Although big exporters such as Fonterra and the meat companies would be aware of the situation, the concern was that smaller niche exporters may fail to comply, said New Zealand Trade and Enterprise food and beverage team director Leone Evans.

"It's going to be the smaller ones, the ones who might be doing internet sales or sending their product through the post who may not have realised," she said.

Even if they were infrequent exporters they had to be registered so that products could be traced in the event of a bioterrorism alert.

Registration was free and the new rules should make no difference to exporters.

But exporters who did not register risked being prosecuted and forfeiting the right to sell into the US.

Federal Drug Administration - Registration of Food Facilities