Quality and compliance key to successful exporting to the US

Going global

Over the last 30+ years, there has been a steady increase in globalisation as supply chains expand. In 2019, global pet food sales totalled $93.9 billion (€79.6 billion). In the US, pet food and treats sales totalled $42 billion (€35.6 billion) in 2020, making it the largest individual country market.

Federal requirements

Oversight and approval of products entering the country starts at the national level, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). US Customs and Border Patrol supervises the import process.

Most pet food products do not require FDA authorisation, but the finished product’s ingredients must meet criteria in 1 of 3 categories. The first is as an approved food additive, a category that requires full FDA safety and efficacy review. The second is ingredients generally recognised as safe (GRAS), which may have undergone a formal review. The final category is products that meet ingredient definitions under the Official Publication of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

State requirements

AAFCO is an organisation that operates under FDA approval via a memorandum of understanding. It is composed of federal and state feed control officials, including most regulators for animal feed products in the US. Under the US regulatory scheme, pet foods or facilities must be registered at state level, with most states conforming to the agreed AAFCO framework. Requirements, durations and fees vary from state to state.

Facility registration

Once you understand how your product is classified, you must ensure that your facility has been registered with FDA. Registration is a fairly straightforward process that has to be done once every 2 years. All facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food to be consumed in the US are required to be registered.

All registered facilities are subject to inspection by FDA auditors and must operate within the current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) as prescribed under US regulations. Aspects of cGMP include facility operations, testing and documentation requirements, and hazard identification. FDA performs hundreds of inspections annually and can arrive at the facility without warning.

Prior notice

All imported food shipments require prior notice to be sent to FDA. This is submitted electronically and creates records that allow a consistent flow of goods through the points of entry to their final destination. It also creates a mechanism by which you can track your shipment status as it moves through the US Customs process.

Unsung heroes

While the US is an attractive market, there are requirements that a company needs to meet to be successful. Quality and compliance are unsung heroes that enable you to operate without fear of an unscheduled audit or customs and other delays. If you take the necessary steps, and have a well-advised and educated team, the US market will welcome you with open arms. Happy shipping!