Definition
The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) is a mandatory FDA regulation under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that requires every U.S. importer of food for human or animal consumption to perform risk-based activities to verify that their foreign suppliers produce food in compliance with U.S. safety standards. Since FDA began conducting FSVP inspections in 2019, approximately 64% of inspected companies have been found non-compliant.
Why It Matters for Importers
FSVP places the compliance burden squarely on the U.S. importer. It is not enough to trust your supplier — you must have documented verification activities proving that each foreign supplier and each food product meets U.S. safety requirements. When FDA shows up for an FSVP inspection (and they do, without warning), they expect to see complete, organized documentation.
Failing an FSVP inspection can result in warning letters, import alerts, and detention of your products at the border. For importers sourcing from multiple countries with many SKUs, the documentation requirements are substantial — each supplier-product combination needs its own FSVP.
Key Details
- Hazard analysis: You must identify known or reasonably foreseeable hazards for each food product you import.
- Supplier evaluation: You must evaluate each foreign supplier's performance and food safety practices.
- Verification activities: Depending on the risk, activities may include annual onsite audits, sampling and testing, or reviewing supplier food safety records.
- Corrective actions: If a supplier fails to meet requirements, you must take corrective action, which may include discontinuing the supplier.
- Record keeping: All FSVP records must be maintained for at least 2 years.
- 64% failure rate: FDA has found most inspected companies lacking adequate hazard analyses, supplier evaluations, or verification activities.
FSVP compliance is complex but essential for food importers. Read our complete guide to FSVP compliance.
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