As weâve discussed in previous publications, one of the FDAâs main objectives is to protect consumer health. For this reason, certain food products must meet specific requirements, such as Food Canning Establishment (FCE) registration and Scheduled Process Identification (SID). These registrations are mandatory for companies producing acidified foods (AF) or low-acid canned foods (LACF) that plan to export to the United States.
Acidified foods (AF) have a natural pH above 4.6 and water activity (Aw) above 0.85. They are acidified artificially with ingredients like vinegar, citric acid, or lactic acid and are hermetically sealed. Common examples include:
Low-acid canned foods (LACF) also have a pH above 4.6 and water activity above 0.85 but are not acidified, requiring thermal sterilization to ensure safety. These foods are highly susceptible to bacterial growth if improperly processed. Examples include:
Due to the safety risks of these products, the FDA requires all manufacturers to have:
1. FCE (Food Canning Establishment)
This is the registration of the production facility. Every plant processing AF or LACF must obtain it. It is a one-time registration per plant, but companies with multiple facilities or production lines must register each separately.
2. SID (Scheduled Process Identification)
This is the registration of the thermal or acidification process for each product. The SID proves the food has undergone a safe, validated process by a certified Process Authority. It includes critical information such as:
Each product presentation, even if only the packaging changes, requires a separate SID number.
Not entirely. In addition to FCE and SID, you must comply with other FDA requirements:
At CORE, we understand that these processes can be complex, especially if you are entering international trade for the first time. We offer comprehensive support to:
Our goal is to help you enter the U.S. market safely and in full compliance with FDA regulations.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can be your partner in growing your business.
As weâve discussed in previous publications, one of the FDAâs main objectives is to protect consumer health. For this reason, certain food products must meet specific requirements, such as Food Canning Establishment (FCE) registration and Scheduled Process Identification (SID). These registrations are mandatory for companies producing acidified foods (AF) or low-acid canned foods (LACF) that plan to export to the United States.
Acidified foods (AF) have a natural pH above 4.6 and water activity (Aw) above 0.85. They are acidified artificially with ingredients like vinegar, citric acid, or lactic acid and are hermetically sealed. Common examples include:
Low-acid canned foods (LACF) also have a pH above 4.6 and water activity above 0.85 but are not acidified, requiring thermal sterilization to ensure safety. These foods are highly susceptible to bacterial growth if improperly processed. Examples include:
Due to the safety risks of these products, the FDA requires all manufacturers to have:
1. FCE (Food Canning Establishment)
This is the registration of the production facility. Every plant processing AF or LACF must obtain it. It is a one-time registration per plant, but companies with multiple facilities or production lines must register each separately.
2. SID (Scheduled Process Identification)
This is the registration of the thermal or acidification process for each product. The SID proves the food has undergone a safe, validated process by a certified Process Authority. It includes critical information such as:
Each product presentation, even if only the packaging changes, requires a separate SID number.
Not entirely. In addition to FCE and SID, you must comply with other FDA requirements:
At CORE, we understand that these processes can be complex, especially if you are entering international trade for the first time. We offer comprehensive support to:
Our goal is to help you enter the U.S. market safely and in full compliance with FDA regulations.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can be your partner in growing your business.
