Malaysian food exporters to United States of America (USA) that are registered with US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) are required to renew their registration starting 1st October to 31st December 2012. The new requirement to re-register company’s food facilities every two years starting this year was set to gather a vast amount of additional information on domestic and foreign food facilities.

The additional information would include the facility type such as manufacturer, processor, re-packer, packer, warehouse or holding facility, the products and hazard & preventive control measures associated with the products and other facility information such as food safety training, facility size, operations schedule and number of employees.

The USA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) enables the FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system. All facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption in the USA must register with the FDA.  Initially, registration of a food facility was required only once. As the FSMA amended Section 415 of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act regarding the registration of food facilities, now companies need to renew their registration every two years starting this year.

Malaysian companies can renew their food facility registrations online at http://www.fda.gov or submit the paper Form 3537 by mail or fax starting 1st October 2012. Malaysian companies in need of assistance or further clarification may contact any of the US-based MATRADE offices at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .