The #1 Reason Importers Fail with FSVP? Putting the Wrong Person in Charge

The FDA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) can be a complicated challenge for many importers. What many don’t realize is that the biggest reason companies fail isn’t always because the rules are too complex — it’s because they put the wrong person in charge.

Far too often, I see the responsibility for FSVP gets handed off to someone unqualified: a sales manager, an office assistant, or even a relative who happens to be around. Maybe it’s a cousin, an uncle, or someone who means well but has no background in regulatory compliance.

The problem is this is not a role you can “figure out as you go”. It requires years of experience in a food safety & quality technical role and a strong science background. The FDA doesn’t give out brownie points for effort — they want you to comply with the law. If your food safety guy/gal lead can’t produce what they’re asking for, your business is the one that pays the price.

Why FSVP Is Different
Contrary to popular belief, FSVP is not “just paperwork.” It requires:

• Conducting hazard analyses for every product you import
• Verifying that each foreign supplier meets U.S. food safety standards
• Keeping detailed records
• Taking corrective action when suppliers don’t meet your program requirements
  If the person you selected to develop or manage the FSVP program doesn’t understand food safety, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance, the entire program falls apart — and FDA will see right through it.

The Risks of Putting the Wrong Person in Charge
When importers assign the wrong person to comply with FSVP, the result is predictable:

• Warning Letters: FDA publicly posts your company name and violations online.
  Detained Shipments: Your products can be held at the border, costing you precious time and money.
• Damaged Reputation: Customers and business partners see you as high-risk, and may stop working with you. Trust me they will drop you once they see a warning letter associated with your business.
• Bigger Trouble Later: Repeat failures can escalate into more serious enforcement actions and even bar your business or even yourself as an individual from importing into the U.S.

And all of this often starts because someone thought, “My cousin/homeboy/secretary can handle it.”

Why Importers Make This Mistake

• Trying to save money: Owners assume anyone can fill out the forms.
• Internal politics: Loyalty or family ties take priority over qualifications.
• Underestimating the FDA: Many believe inspections won’t happen or that FDA won’t look too closely.

But the FDA is watching. And when they inspect, they will expect your guy/gal to provide hazard analyses, supplier verification documentation, and records — not excuses.

The Better Way Forward
If you’re struggling to understand where to start with FSVP, here’s the truth:

• You need someone highly trained in compliance and food safety — not just someone with free time and a "can-do" attitude.
• If you don’t have that person on staff, the safest option is hiring a consultant with extensive experience in this field.
• Learning from past FDA warning letters can help you avoid from making the same mistakes as others. See link below for warning letters straight from the source:                https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/compliance-actions-and-activities/warning-letters

Final Word
Your business is too important to gamble on. Don’t hand a key part of compliance like FSVP to your sales team, your admin assistant, or a family member who “will figure it out.” That’s not fair to them — and it puts your entire business at risk.

If you want to avoid warning letters, detentions, and public enforcement records, the solution is simple: put the right person in charge.

Contact us for a confidential FSVP compliance review before the FDA comes to visit.