U.S. regulation requires registration of food companies with the FDA

30/09/05 The U.S. departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services confirmed a final rule that requires domestic and foreign food facilities that make, process, pack or hold food for consumption in the United States to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This rule-making confirms requirements initially established in an interim final rule issued in October 2003. The registration requirements have been in effect since December 12, 2003.

According to a September 28 FDA press release, the regulation allows the agency quickly to locate food processors in the event of food contamination. FDA is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services.

The registration requirements apply to all facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food, including animal feed, dietary supplements, infant formula, beverages and food additives, according to the agency.

The rule is one of several issued under the authority of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002.

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=September&x=20050929144605AKllennoccM0.9805414&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html