Survey: Industry unprepared for Bioterrorism Act deadline

Survey: Industry unprepared for Bioterrorism Act deadline    The food production and processing industries, packing and shipping companies are not ready to comply with the requirements of the 2002 Bioterrorism Act due to become effective on Dec. 12, according to a survey by the law firm    Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. and Latin Trade magazine.
   A survey of over 200 readers of the magazine found that more than 50 percent of food industry executives remain unaware of the existence of the 2002 Bioterrorism Act, which expands the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s oversight of the food industry. Latin America-based executives are somewhat more aware of the requirements, with awareness at 58 percent, according to the survey.
   The law aims to protect against terrorist threats to the food supply, but its requirements “face massive non-compliance when they go into effect next month,” Becker & Poliakoff said.
   The new regulations require all food producers, processors, packers and shippers to register with the Food & Drug Administration, and require non-U.S. companies to designate a registered agent in the U.S.
   The law also requires prior notice of all food shipments entering the U.S.
   “Non-compliance could mean thousands of food shipments being held at the U.S. border, a potentially disastrous situation, especially for importers of perishables,” Becker & Poliakoff said.
   According to the survey, more than 70 percent of the respondents expect that efforts to promote free trade across the Americas will be negatively affected by the act, and over half of the executives believe the regulations will be only “somewhat effective” or “not effective” in protecting the food supply.