Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2

4 June 2004

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 152/2004

US : FDA Announced Final Rule on Administrative Detention of Food under Bioterrorism Act

Further to Commercial Information Circular (CIC) No. 151/2004 dated 4 June 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently published a fact sheet (copy at Annex (pdf format)) announcing the final rule establishing procedures for administrative detention of food under the Bioterrorism Act. Traders may also refer to CIC No. 141/2003 dated 15 May 2003 for background.

2. Under the final rule, FDA is authorized to detain an article of food for which there is credible evidence or information indicating such article presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. The rule also includes expedited procedures for perishable foods as well as procedures describing how FDA will detain an article of food and the process for appealing a detention order. Traders may visit FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/ for latest information about the implementation of the final rule.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5403.

Yours faithfully,

(Ms. Shirley TSE)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.