The FDA is permitted to establish “maximum levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods.“ As such, many products such as spices, shrimps, and rice are monitored under the FDA’s DWPE (Detention Without Physical Examination) program for filth and extraneous materials (e.g. insect fragments, rodent hairs, feathers, decomposed material, sand, soil). While filth and extraneous materials might not pose direct health risks to human who consume them, their presence in high quantities does evidence poor manufacturing/transport sanitation and is correlated with other problems such as microbial contamination.

Anresco is expert at performing light and macro filth analyses to satisfy the demands of each FDA import district. Our microscopists have a combined 40 years of experience, are aware of prevailing Food Defect Action Levels, and are highly regarded in our industry. In fact, many of our competitors contract out their microscopy work to Anresco. In order to get your product sampled, analyzed, and released in a timely manner without middlemen markups, work directly with us.

Under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (1938), the FDA has the right to regulate color additives used in food, drugs, and cosmetics.  Imported products containing dyes without prior approval are subject to entry refusal.  Anresco staff have considerable experience performing color determinations, and our reports our routinely accepted by the FDA to evidence compliance/non-compliance.