The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC, USA yesterday drew the attention of all Sri Lankan exporters of food and beverage products to USA and asked them to renew their registration with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before 31 December 2012.

The embassy said this requirement has already been notified to all Sri Lankan Exporters through the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Department of Commerce.

A seminar was also held by the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Department of Commerce in association with the US Embassy in Colombo in November, to educate exporters on the need for mandatory renewal of FDA registration, the embassy spokesman said.

The spokesman cautioned that the FDA may suspend the registration of those exporters who fail to comply with this requirement before the deadline of 31 December 2012.

Furthermore, under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), it is essential that non-US companies designate a U.S. agent to mediate between the FDA and exporter, the spokesman added.