FDA Withdraws Proposal to Require Labeling on Imported Food Denied Entry

The Food and Drug Administration is withdrawing a proposal to require labeling of imported food that was refused entry into the United States. Issued in 2008, the proposed rule would have required the labeling of the shipping container and entry documentation for such shipments with “UNITED STATES: REFUSED ENTRY,” in an attempt to prevent port shopping. But since that proposal was issued, many of these documents have been made electronic and prior notice requirements have been changed to require notification of any country to which imported food has been refused entry, including the United States. “FDA may reassess how to effectively implement the labeling of documentation accompanying refused food and consider whether to issue a revised proposed rule in the future,” it said.