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We offer a network of independent ISO17025 accredited testing laboratories and provide the assurance required to meet strict US FDA food regulations. Whether you are an importer, custom broker or retailer, IEH can be your partner protecting your brand, products and assisting you with FDA DWPE specific cases.
Turnaround time: Varies
With the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) there are an increasing number of foods being tested by the FDA at the time of import. Illegal residues and contaminants are often detected through routine sampling, which leads to a refusal of entry for that shipment and automatic detention going forward. Food products under FDA import Alert and Detention without Physical Examination (DWPE) must be sampled and tested by qualified independent sampling and laboratory companies.
Once a product has been shown to contain an illegal residue or contaminant, the shipment is refused entry in the United States, and either must be re-exported to another country or destroyed. US FDA places the Exporter of that product under its DWPE program. Under the DWPE Program, every new shipment from that exporter must be analyzed by a private laboratory for the same illegal residue or contaminant. Only if the new shipment is found to be below established tolerance will the FDA allow it to be released into the channels of trade.
Everything from sampling to analytical methodology to reporting must be performed using extremely strict protocols, or the analytical data package will be rejected, subjecting the importer to further delays, or possible refusal of entry. Generally after 5 clean shipments in a row the exporter may petition to be removed from Automatic Detention.
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