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How to export to U.S. | Rules and regulations | Marketing claims
How to Export to the U.S. (Return to United States main page)
Exporting Food Products to the United States (pdf - 25 pages) - Nov-2011
This guide has been prepared to provide with some basic technical information that you will need to research and consider as you begin shipping food products to the United States. The U.S. customs regulations and rules are not the same as in Canada. You will have to make sure you obey the U.S. regulations and requirements for your exports.
Export USA webinar series available on demand - Dec-2010 Verified Nov-2011
All 16 Export USAwebinars—covering everything from transportation logistics and tax advice to contracting with sales reps and distributors—are available online and on-demand, free of charge, through Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Virtual Trade Commissioner (VTC) online service. To view the webinars, you need to be registered with the VTC.
Not registered with the VTC? Register now.
Exporting to the United States - A Guide for Canadian Businesses - 2008 (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada) Verified Nov-2011
The guide (pdf -67 pages) is intended to help you find information, tips and resources to succeed more quickly and easily in the U.S. market. To take just a few examples, the guide examines:
- Tools you can use to analyze U.S. markets and their characteristics;
- The effects of NAFTA on Canadian exporters;
- Financing your exports to the U.S.;
- Managing cross-border travel;
- Border security and its effects on Canadian exporters; and
- U.S. Customs procedures and regulations, and how to deal with them.
Rules and Regulations (Return to United States main page)
FDA issues first new rules under Food Safety Modernization Act - May-2011 (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) - Verified Nov-2011
Two new rules will take effect July 3, 2011. The first rule allows the FDA to administratively detain food the agency believes has been produced under insanitary or unsafe conditions. Beginning July, the FDA will be able to detain food products that it has reason to believe are adulterated or misbranded for up to 30 days, if needed, to ensure they are kept out of the marketplace.
The second rule requires anyone importing food into the United States to inform the FDA if any country has refused entry to the same product, including food for animals. This new reporting requirement will be administered through the FDA’s prior notice system for incoming shipments of imported food established under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.
US - Key Facts on FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - Dec-2010 (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) - Verified Nov-2011
See the section on Imported Food Safety.
Bioterrorism Act of 2002 Legislation - Verified Nov-2011
Compliance booklets are available on:
- Registration and Prior Notice
- Administrative Detention
- Establishment and Maintenance of Records
Additional information on utilizing the Prior Notice Entry System for export to the United States is available at the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/Bioterrorism/PriorNotice/default.htm
Exporting Animal/Animal Products and Plants - Oct-2011
Prior to exporting agri-food products to the United States it is necessary to consult export regulations, standards and guidelines at the international, country and state level. Imports of agricultural products by the United States are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS). More information about USDA regulations can be found on the following Web sites:
Labelling and Marketing Claims (Return to United States main page)
US - Nutrition Facts Panels to Appear on Labels of Popular Cuts of Meat and Poultry Products - Dec-2010 (U.S. Federal Register) Verified Nov-2011
Beginning in 2012, like the labels on packaged foods, meat tags will detail calorie counts and fat content per serving on 40 of the most popular cuts of beef, poultry, pork and lamb.
Update: FSIS Delays Labeling Rules - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service will delay for two months, until March 1, 2012, the effective date for enforcement of the "Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products" final rule. (reported by Farm Futures on November 14, 2011)
Food Labelling and Nutrition (U.S. Food and Drug Administration - FDA) - Verified Nov -2011
FDA Food Labeling web pages address the labeling requirements for foods under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and its amendments. Food labeling is required for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc.
U.S. Labelling Guide - Oct-09 (U.S. Food and Drug Administration - FDA) - Verified Nov-2011
Excerpt from the Background section:
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for assuring that foods sold in the United States are safe, wholesome and properly labeled. This applies to foods produced domestically, as well as foods from foreign countries. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are the Federal laws governing food products under FDA's jurisdiction".
"The FDA receives many questions from manufacturers, distributors, and importers about the proper labeling of their food products. This guidance is a summary of the required statements that must appear on food labels under these laws and their regulations. To help minimize legal action and delays, it is recommended that manufacturers and importers become fully informed about the applicable laws and regulations before offering foods for distribution in the United States".
Canada/US Organic Equivalency, Labelling (pdf) - Jun-2010
This article provides information on Organic Labelling in the United States and using "natural" on packaging.
USDA Naturally Raised Marketing Claim Standard (pdf) - Jan-2009 - Verified Nov-2011
Livestock used for the production of meat and meat products that have been raised entirely without growth promotants, antibiotics (except for ionophores used as coccidiostats for parasite control), and have never been fed animal (mammalian, avian, or aquatic) by-products derived from the slaughter/harvest processes, including meat and fat, animal waste materials and aquatic by-products.
USDA Announcement
Federal Register
Nutrient Content Claims/Health Claims (U.S. Food and Drug Administration - FDA) - Verified Nov-2011
Alberta exporters should note that FDA encourages that petitions and notifications be submitted in electronic form.
This FDA information provides Alberta exporters with information on how to use claims. Examples:
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