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Prior Notice Overview and BackgroundNearly 20% of all imports into the U.S. are food and food products. In 2002 Congress passed the Bioterrorism Act as a part of its ongoing effort to combat terrorism - in this instance, by reducing the ability for international terrorists to carry out terrorist attacks in the U.S. by contaminating imported foods. The Act requires that FDA receive prior notice before food is imported or offered for import into the United States. Advance notice of import shipments allows FDA, with the support of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to target import inspections more effectively and help protect the nation's food supply against terrorist acts and other public health emergencies. On October 9, 2003 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two new FDA rules to enhance the security of the food supply (See press release.) Under the prior notice regulation issued, prior notice must be provided for food products entering the United States beginning December 12, 2003. Prior notice can be provided in one of two ways:
Using PNSI: How to Submit a Prior Notice through FDA's Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI) |