Through the collaborative efforts of the Foreign Agricultural Service and the Office of International Affairs at FDA, a Letter of Agreement between the agencies was signed providing AMS with the authority to perform onsite verification of public health certification statements and issue export certificates on a fee for service basis. The extent of the onsite verification process will be directly related to the complexity of the certification statements required by the foreign country of destination for the product.

Establishment of the export certification program for FDA-regulated further processed eggs and egg product and composite foods containing egg products will allow U.S. processors access to expanding global markets supporting AMS goals in promoting the marketing of agricultural products.

Parties interested in requesting service for the Processed Egg and Egg Products Export Program should begin at this link. Once the application for service is submitted AMS will determine the import requirements of the product(s) from the foreign authorities identified in the application.

AMS established a program for verification of the source of the eggs and egg products used in the production of the food products identified for certification. Additionally, AMS will verify that the product was produced in a processing facility in accordance with good manufacturing practices under sanitary conditions to certify the products are fit for human consumption, along with the foreign government import requirements. The verification of a product will require a minimum of two onsite visits per year. The list of approved establishments by country and product would be found under this link.

If AMS determines that a company meets the established certification requirements, the company will be listed as eligible for export by product and country. An eligible company would contact AMS for an export certificate covering accepted product and identify the foreign country. Applicants who use the program services regularly may enter through this link.

All questions related to this new verification and export certification program may be directed to Will Stone, International Trade Specialist, Standards & Technology Division (telephone 202.720.3100).