US tightens food export regulations

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 14, 2003

US tightens food export regulations

Chinese authorities are urging food exporters to heed newly-issued US food import regulations aimed to bolster the safety and security of the US food supply.

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Chinese authorities are urging food exporters to heed newly-issued US food import regulations aimed to bolster the safety and security of the US food supply.

The China National Regulatory Commission for Certification and Accreditation (CNCA) said the regulations -- issued last Friday -- will impact China's food export enterprises if they don't fully understand them.

The first regulation requires food importers to provide the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with advance notice of human and animal food shipments imported or offered for import starting from December 12 of this year.

This will allow the FDA to know in advance when a specific food shipment will arrive at US ports as well as the shipment's contents.

The second regulation, also due to take effect on December 12, requires domestic and foreign food manufacturers who process, pack or hold food for US human or animal consumption to register with the agency.

Massive regulation-related publicity has been conducted among Chinese food exporters to ensure they are well-informed, CNCA Vice-chairman Cheng Fang told China Daily.

"But some food export enterprises have not been made aware of the regulations and that may bring business risks for them," said Cheng.

The United States is the fourth biggest market for China's agricultural and food exporters, making up 9 per cent of the country's annual total foreign exchange.

Northwest China-based Shaanxi Haisheng Fruit Product Company said the regulations have already increased export costs.

"But we have to be well prepared to the enforcement of the rules," said the Haisheng's Vice-Manager Liang Yi. Liang's company mainly produces apple juice and about 60 per cent of its product is exported to the United States and Canada.

He said his company is busy with registration and is seeking guarantor enterprises among its US partners.

According to the new regulations, Chinese exporters should establish guarantee partnerships with enterprises entrusted by the FDA.

Under the regulations, notice of imported foods must be received and confirmed electronically by FDA officials no more than five days before their arrival stateside and no fewer than two hours before arrival by land on road, four hours before arrival by air or by land via rail, or eight hours before arrival by water.

FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan said the new regulations are part of the US effort to counter bio-terrorism.

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