FDA Steps Up Import Detentions for Non-Compliant Foreign Food Suppliers

US food importers are facing increased scrutiny as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to take action against imported products linked to foreign suppliers that do not meet US food safety requirements.

On 22 September 2026, the FDA published a new import alert allowing certain human and animal food products to be detained without physical examination when they are imported by firms that are not complying with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). (accessdata.fda.gov)

The action highlights an important part of importing food into the United States: businesses may be responsible not only for their own products, but also for verifying that their foreign suppliers meet applicable US requirements.

What is the Foreign Supplier Verification Program?

The FSVP requires importers to take certain steps to verify that their foreign suppliers are producing food in a manner that provides the same level of public health protection as applicable US food safety standards.

Importers may need to conduct activities such as:

• Hazard analysis
• Evaluation of foreign suppliers
• Verification activities
• Corrective actions where necessary
• Maintaining relevant records

The specific requirements depend on the circumstances of the importer, product and foreign supplier.

What does the latest FDA action mean?

Under the September 22 import alert, FDA can detain certain food products without physical examination when the importer has not complied with applicable FSVP requirements. (accessdata.fda.gov)

This type of action can create additional delays and costs for businesses whose products are held at the border.

It also demonstrates that customs compliance can extend beyond tariff classification and duty calculations.

A product may have the correct customs documentation and still encounter problems if it does not meet the regulatory requirements of the agency responsible for that product category.

Import compliance can vary by product

Food is only one example of the product-specific requirements that businesses may need to consider when entering the US market.

Depending on the product, importers may need to manage requirements involving:

• Food safety
• Product certifications
• Labelling
• Permits
• Licences
• Testing
• Consumer safety
• Customs duties
• Product classification

The challenge for global sellers is that these requirements can vary significantly between product categories.

Why this matters for ecommerce businesses

The growth of cross-border ecommerce means more businesses are selling products directly to customers in markets where they may not have extensive regulatory expertise.

For a business managing a large catalogue, identifying the applicable requirements for every product can become difficult to manage manually.

A product that is compliant in its home market may require additional checks before it can be imported and sold in the US.

The FDA's latest action is a reminder that getting a product across the border involves more than calculating the tariff.

How Gloco can help

Gloco is designed to help global sellers identify product-level compliance requirements as they expand into new markets.

Businesses can provide a product link and use Gloco's AI-powered platform to identify potential IP, licensing and tariff considerations.

The platform also supports certificates and permits, customs duty calculations and documentation, helping businesses identify requirements that may apply to their products.

Gloco's ongoing monitoring capabilities can also help businesses stay informed about changing laws, compliance risks and deadlines.

The latest FDA import alert shows how regulatory compliance can directly affect whether products move through the border smoothly.

For global sellers, understanding the rules that apply to a product before it ships can help turn compliance from a last-minute problem into an ongoing part of the import process.