FDA Food Facility Registration

To: Maple Syrup Producers
From: Jean Maday, President
Subject: FDA Registration

You will be receiving the MMSA newsletter shortly. There will be an article in the newsletter which was copied from The Maple News. The article by Darrell Beebe implies that all maple producers need to register with the FDA. The intent of the measure is to improve the safety of the food products and supplies we eat and to protect them from terrorism. The article also states that you must register by December 12, 2003.

There are exemptions, however, so you may not need to register. The major exemption for maple producers involves determining whether the majority of your sales are wholesale or retail. Registration is required only by producers who sell more than 50% of their product wholesale.

If you sell more than 50% retail, you are not required to register.

Also, the deadline date of December 12 has been extended for several months.

If you are interested in further explanation of the requirements, please see the fact sheet, Protecting the Food Supply, on the FDA Web site.