FDA offers disaster relief

The US Food and Drug Administration is making concessions, including extending compliance deadlines, for tobacco manufacturers, importers and retailers affected by recent natural disasters.

In a note issued through its Center for Tobacco Products, the FDA said it recognized that recent natural disasters had affected several areas. ‘Multiple hurricanes have devastated parts of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and hurricanes and wildfires have affected parts of the continental United States,’ it said. ‘FDA is announcing several actions regarding industry in the affected areas.’

The note said the FDA was aware that tobacco manufacturers and importers in the affected areas were dealing with extraordinary circumstances and might need additional time to meet certain requirements. ‘As a result, FDA is extending the compliance deadlines for the ingredient listing and health document submission requirements by an additional six months for manufacturers and importers of deemed products in the areas affected by these recent natural disasters,’ the note said.

The FDA advised those with questions about the new compliance deadlines to visit: SmallBiz.Tobacco@fda.hhs.gov or 1.877.287.1373.

And it said those seeking further details and a complete list of the affected areas should visit: https://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm579265.htm

Meanwhile, the note said that the FDA understood that many retailers that sell tobacco products in the affected areas were not operational. ‘The agency is working to determine appropriate actions to take, including temporarily suspending enforcement activities in areas where there has been a disaster declaration,’ it said.

‘FDA will continue to monitor and assess the impact of the natural disasters and recovery efforts in these states and territories.’

The FDA advised those with questions about enforcement policies for areas affected by recent natural disasters to visit: SmallBiz.Tobacco@fda.hhs.gov or 1.877.287.1373.