Dr. Goodpet

(FDA.gov)

On December 11th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) signed a Memorandum to enhance the safety of food and feed imported into the United States from China. The agreement focuses heavily on pet food, treats and feed. There are four products that are initially covered under the agreement:

* Pet food/ pet treats of plant or animal origin;

* Ingredients of food and feed, i.e., wheat gluten and rice protein;

* Low acid canned foods; and

* All aquaculture farming products other than molluscan shellfish.

The agreement requires, among other things, that exporters of these products register with AQSIQ and agree to annual inspections to ensure their goods meet US standards, increased access by FDA to inspect production facilities, and increased communication about the emergence of significant risks to public health related to product safety, recalls and other situations. HHS/FDA and AQSIQ will create a working group to develop a plan that further details specific activities each will undertake to implement the agreement and establish performance measures to evaluate the progress. FDA has promised to keep APPMA advised on the progress of the MOA and information learned under the MOA (risks presented from certain products or ingredients).