In an effort to
protect the public and ensure safe food is provided by food manufacturers, the
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires registration of all
food manufacturing facilities. These regulations are part of the Food Safety
Modernization Act enacted in 2011. We’ve provided answers below to some common
FAQs regarding registering with the FDA.
Why is food facility registration a requirement?
Food facility
registration will help the FDA determine the location and source of a potential
outbreak of food-borne illness and quickly notify facilities that may be
affected.
Who has to register?
The registration requirements
apply to food facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human
and animal consumption in the United States. Therefore, if you are a facility
making chocolates and candies, then you should be registered with the FDA.
Do I register one time?
Food facilities are
required to submit an initial registration to the FDA only once. After that,
you must renew registration with the FDA every other year during the period
beginning on October 1 and ending on December 31 of each even-numbered year. This
means every food facility should be renewing their registration this year as
2016 is an even-numbered year.
Do I have to resubmit all information to renew?
FDA will provide an
abbreviated biennial registration renewal process for a registrant of a
facility that has not had any changes to its registration information.
Does it cost to register?
There is no fee for registration or updates to a registration.
How do I register? Register online at
FDA. gov by entering a search query for “Registration of Food Facilities,” or
request the paper materials by calling 800-216-7331 or 301-575-0156.
How is registration confirmed?
After you register your facility, the FDA will confirm the registration and
assign a registration number. The information provided here is directly from
the FDA website, FDA. gov . For direct links to materials from the FDA, including
industry guidance for food facility registration, visit the GMPs page on the
RCI website when signed in as a member (found under the Member Resources tab).
Not
a member? Learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business at retailconfections.org/join.
