News Releases

DATE:	February 19, 2004
CONTACT:	Alexis Ellicott
	(703) 837-8140

New Questions and Answers on FDA Registration of Food Facilities

On October 10, 2003, FDA issued an interim final regulation to implement the Bioterrorism Act's requirement that domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States must register with FDA by December 12, 2003. (See 68 FR 58894; October 10, 2003.) The interim final rule implements section 305 of the Bioterrorism Act. Section 305 requires domestic and foreign facilities to register with FDA by December 12, 2003, even in the absence of final regulations.
The latest installment of public comments on Registration of Food Facilities and FDA’s responses can be found on the FDA website at:

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ffregui3.html

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Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 900 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.