APHIS to Change its Import Permit Process for FSIS-Exempt Products Containing Small Amounts of Meat/Poultry
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an "Importer/Broker" letter on upcoming changes to its import permit process for food products containing meat and/or poultry ingredients from an animal disease country1, that are exempt from Food Safety and Inspection Service regulation as they contain only small amounts (less than 2%) of such ingredients.
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Affected food products, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, include bouillon cubes, stocks, and dehydrated soup mixes or extracts.
CBP has also posted updated information on this requirement (its prior version of this information, dated April 14, 2009, had contained errors).
Addition of APHIS Import Permit Requirement for Subject Food Products Previously Entered Solely Under Health Certificate
An APHIS import permit will now be required for FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts of meat and/or poultry ingredients from animal disease countries, which have previously gained entry solely under a health certificate indicating "product being concentrated by boiling." CBP's enforcement of this APHIS policy change is scheduled to start on June 22, 2009.
FSIS to Approve APHIS Import Permit Applications for Subject Food Products
All APHIS import permit applications for FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts of meat and/or poultry ingredients from an animal disease country that are submitted after June 22, 2009 will be reviewed and approved by FSIS prior to APHIS issuing the permits.
FSIS will be checking to ensure that the meat and or poultry ingredients in such food products originate from an eligible source in the animal disease country, i.e., they are prepared under FSIS inspection or in a foreign establishment certified by a foreign inspection system approved by FSIS.
Importers to Provide Evidence to FSIS as Part of Application Process
As part of this change to the application process, importers will be required to provide documented evidence directly to FSIS to support the origin of the meat and/or poultry ingredient used in the food product(s) identified on the APHIS permit application.
If this condition is not met, FSIS will advise APHIS that the imported food product is ineligible for importation and a permit will not be issued.
1countries considered by APHIS to be affected with animal diseases of concern
(APHIS regulates products of animal origin to ensure they do not pose a disease risk to U.S. animal health, while FSIS regulates meat, poultry, and processed egg products for public health purposes.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/16/09 news, 09041640, for BP summary of CBP's earlier (incorrect) message. Among other things, the erroneous message stated that all FSIS exempt products containing small amounts of meat/poultry would require an APHIS import permit.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/18/08 news, 08031820, for BP summary of APHIS amending the Animal Product Manual on the entry requirements for certain bouillon cubes, stocks, and dehydrated soup mixes or extracts.)
Questions for APHIS may be directed to Dr. Christopher Robinson at Christopher.c.robinson@aphis.usda.gov or at (301) 734-3277
Questions for FSIS may be directed to FSIS at permits@fsis.usda.gov or at 1-888-287-7194
APHIS letter (dated 03/31/09) available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/downloads/importer_letter.pdf
CBP notice (corrected version, dated 04/21/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/agriculture/meat_poultry_regs.xml