Advising Importers and Exporters
Legal Advice for Importers of Food, Herbals, Ingredients and Supplements
Food products, dietary supplements cosmetics and ingredients imported into the United States are subject to the same safety and labeling standards as domestic products. Importers are required to provide prior notice of imports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the form of an “Entry Notice.” In some instances, FDA will issue a “Notice of Detention” under which the shipment will be held while FDA obtains and inspects a sample of the article being imported. An importer’s objective is to obtain an FDA “May Proceed Notice,” which releases a shipment for distribution or importation into the United States further processing.
If your company distributes foreign food, dietary supplelemts or botanicals, depends on imported ingredients for products manufactured in the United States, or needs advice about imports for a startup marketing or manufacturing operations, contact a knowledgeable attorney at Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman in New York. Our experience and focus on advising manufacturers, importers and distributors of dietary supplements enable our lawyers to help clients avoid and resolve problems relating to FDA and US Customs and Border Protection import regulations.
If your company is just getting started with the importation of food, OTC drugs or dietary supplements, we can advise you about procedures to streamline your compliance with federal regulations on an ongoing basis. We can also advise you on what you can expect from your exporter to help ensure your ability to satisfy your own obligations and protect your business from the risk of adulteration, misbranding and other violations at the foreign point of origin.
Established importers can benefit from our experience with the resolution of problems that can arise when you introduce new ingredients, change suppliers or expand your line of herbal or supplement imports. We can also troubleshoot isolated problems or special situations regarding particular shipments.
Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman advises exporters as well. Our guidance as to FDA standards on purity, wholesomeness, other aspects of good Manufacturing Practices, consumer safety, sanitary production requirements and accuracy in labeling can help ensure that an exporter’s products reach the U.S. market without unnecessary delays.
Our law firm’s commitment to prompt and efficient client service can help importers and exporters alike avoid the problems caused by delays in “May Proceed” clearance, especially when time is of the essence.
For specific advice about FDA compliance in imports and exports of food products and nutritional supplements from anywhere in the world to any point of entry in the United States, contact the New York City law firm of Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman.