FDA Announces Hourly User Fees

The FDA recently announced hourly fees for food facility re-inspections and time associated with non-compliance with recall orders as is authorized under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The new hourly rates are $224 or $335 if foreign travel is required. They took effect on October 1, 2011, and also apply to re-inspections of imported product following refusals related to food safety products.

Recognizing that these fees could pose a burden on small businesses, the FDA has posted a notice requesting comments on the fees. The notice is available at: http://www.hpm.com/pdf/blog/2011-19333_PI%5b1%5d.pdf