Whether importing chemical ingredients directly from a foreign manufacturer or working with a sourcing partner (like Bellrock Chemical), every buyer needs to be able to explain to their customers how they know their food products are safe. Thus, buyers benefit from the knowledge of FDA regulations on food imports—as well as an understanding of how importers verify the safety of food also is essential information for buyers.  

Chemical companies around the world play an important role in ensuring safe food production in the United States. Preventing the spread of pathogens is critical, given that nearly 3,000 Americans die from a foodborne illness every year, one in six people suffers from foodborne disease, and some 148,000 people are hospitalized every year. Thus, food manufacturers importing chemical ingredients need to verify products are free of pathogens and other hazards. 

When Bellrock Chemical manages the import of chemicals from foreign suppliers, we verify the safety of the goods, saving our partners time and money. 

Importers Ensure Safe Food Production by Following the FDA FSVP

Overseas companies exporting food to the U.S. also must prove their products comply with safety rules in the Food and Drug Administration Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FDA FSVP). In addition, manufacturers need to adhere to the supply-chain requirements in the FDA Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food. 

Developing and implementing preventive controls related to hazards in food is an FDA requirement. Potential hazards include parasites and certain bacteria; chemical hazards like pesticides, drug residue, and unapproved additives; and physical hazards such as glass in a product. To be considered hazardous, an ingredient must be likely to cause illness or injury.

A hazardous ingredient might be added unintentionally, or a manufacturer might add it in place of a more expensive ingredient. Controls need to be put into place to catch hazardous ingredients, whether accidental or intentional.

This means that importers need to create, maintain, and follow an FSVP for each food they purchase from an overseas supplier; each imported food ingredient needs to comply with FSVP when sold to American companies. If an importer purchases one food, or chemical, from several suppliers, they need an FSVP plan for each one. In addition, when a company imports several foods or chemicals from one supplier, they’ll need an FSVP for each one.

Using a Third-Party Importer

When purchasers buy from a third party, such as Bellrock Chemical, they don’t need to go through their own verification process. We already follow the FSVP requirements to confirm the safety of the ingredients we import:

1. We determine whether the chemical is hazardous or might be in the near future. This evaluation is made based on data about illnesses, product testing, experience, and other factors.
2. We evaluate the risk of a chemical based on the hazard assessment and the exporter’s past performance.
3. We verify information about the supplier.

Bellrock Chemical also works to correct any problems with exporters’ food safety practices. If we are informed that an overseas supplier is not following FDA FSVP guidelines, we immediately contact the exporter and begin an investigation. If deemed necessary, we stop using the supplier until we know they are in compliance with the FSVP and the chemical ingredients they export are safe.

Audits Support Safe Food Production 

Food manufacturers selling to large grocery chains or restaurants need to provide the findings of a third-party audit on their compliance with food safety standards. When the company imports food ingredients, including chemicals, they will need confirmation the FDA FSVP regulations are being followed. The FDA has a voluntary program for accrediting auditors in foreign countries. 

Auditors assess the likelihood of hazards occurring when controls are not present. They also weigh the potential hazards based on how they will affect the health of those who ingest the food. To determine whether a hazardous condition is likely, auditors look at these nine facets of food production:

1. The formula for making the food product
2. The physical condition of the factory making the food
3. The raw materials and other ingredients used
4. Sanitation and employees’ hygiene practices
5. Transportation to and from the facility
6. How the food was raised, harvested, manufactured, processed, and packed 
7. The way the food is packaged and labeled
8. Storage and distribution
9. The intended or likely use

Bellrock Chemical manages third-party audits of exporters for our partners. We also obtain audits covering the following:

• Whether a manufacturer meets ISO food safety management standards, which include extensive guidance for managing food safety in a global supply chain. 
• Adherence to Current Good Manufacturing Practices, and the FDA requirements for safe and sanitary food manufacturing. 
• Kosher foods. Kosher-certification agencies operate around the world to ensure suppliers adhere to kosher requirements. Some clean and sterilize shipping equipment and manufacturing equipment according to Kosher law. 
• Assessment of foods and products claiming to be Non-GMO through the Non-GMO Project Product Verification Program, which manages third-party verification and testing of non-GMO food and products. 
• Nutritional and Food Safety Analysis. Independent labs verify the information foreign suppliers provide about a product is true. Testers analyze the nutritional values required by the FDA for a Nutrition Facts Label; the shelf-life of products; and whether any of the “Big 8” allergens are present in the food.

Given the long list of requirements to ensure food safety from overseas sources, you might be ready to hand over the importing job to someone else. Reach out to us and we will work with you to create a plan that works for all parties, keeping costs stable. We source dozens of products for the food industry, as well as other industries, and we might be able to help you.