FDA approves three participants in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three participants in the agency’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers, who achieve and maintain control over the safety and security of their supply chains, expedited review and importation of human and animal foods into the U.S., according to a news release.

The list of participants is available online.

The release said participants have successfully demonstrated management of the safety and security of their supply chains.

“As a VQIP participant, importers can import certain food products into the United States with greater speed and predictability, avoiding unexpected delays at the point of import entry,” the FDA said.

The VQIP application portal will open on Jan. 1, and will remain open through May 31.

For companies interested in the program can submit questions to the VQIP Importers Help Desk at 301-796-8745 or email at FSMAVQIP@fda.hhs.gov.