TORONTO, Ont. — The OTA is reminding carriers that a facility where food is transferred (e.g. terminals and/ or dock facilities) must be registered with the FDA by Dec. 12.

Each facility that a carrier owns or operates must be registered separately. And carriers that need to register their facilities in Canada must identify a U.S. agent before registration. (According to FDA, a U.S. Agent can be any person that resides or maintains a place of business in the US and is physically present in the U.S.)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration held a closed circuit videoconference on October 28, to discuss the new Regulations pertaining to the Registration of Food Facilities and the Prior Notice of Imported Food Shipments. During this video conference a number of new items were brought forward that will affect a carriers operation if they move, cross dock, consolidate or warehouse food bound for the United States.

FDA is encouraging carriers to register their facilities via the Internet if the new rules apply to their operations. Registration is free and carriers can obtain all the information needed for registration at the following link: https://www.access.fda.gov/

OTA members who have questions concerning the registration process can contact Geoff Wood at 416-249-7401 ext. 248 or by email at geoffrey.wood@ontruck.org