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Are There Restrictions on Importing Food Packaging Machines that Use Fiberglass in Sealing?

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Are There Restrictions on Importing Food Packaging Machines that Use Fiberglass in Sealing?

Question

I am writing from the Korean Small Business Corporation U.S. office, a government agency that promotes exports from small manufacturers in South Korea. A manufacturer of food packaging machines in Korea has an order from a U.S. company for one of its machines that uses some kind of fiberglass element in the sealing process. The question is if there might be FDA, USDA and/or EPA restrictions on importing a food packaging machine that has this kind of element. What is the process for importing the machine if these restrictions exist?

Answer

There are no regulations on food packaging machines, per se, except for lubricants that come in contact with food. However, if materials in the machinery, such as fiberglass, are in contact with food and may become a component of the food, then the materials would be subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations.

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