Can this chocolate be dangerous?

This French chocolate and Russian tea is contraband, under new Bush administration rules for foodstuffs sent through the mail.

O.k., now they're just being ridiculous. Does this chocolate look dangerous to you (other than in the sense of all those empty calories)? Because the Bush administration has issued directives that foodstuffs can no longer be mailed to the United States - even when sealed in manufacturer's packaging!

My mouth dropped open when the French postal clerk gave me the news: "No chocolate." He thought it was just as crazy as I did and in an aside, asked if I was American, after he'd listened to me exclaim the French equivalent of "That's incredible! What next? Such idiots!" Once again I felt compelled to apologise for the latest inconvenience caused by the current administration's paranoid and intrusive behaviour.

When I got home I looked up US Customs regulations online and discovered that new "rules" apply when mailing any sort of foodstuffs to the US. One must now go through a company called FDA Registrar Corp. It bills itself as FDA (Food and Drug Administration) compliance and assistance and registration for food, medical devices and cosmetics registration. The company has a Live Helpline, so I explained that I live in France and want to mail a gift of chocolate to a friend in the US. However, the French post office said today they can no longer accept foodstuffs mailed to the US. The Helpline response was that I must go to www.priornotice.com and fill out a form.

Apparently, whether you're a company or an individual, if you want to send food, medicine or cosmetics to the US, you must fill out forms (one per shipment), listing your address, phone number and contents of the package, as well as the recipient's address and phone number. You have to pay $9.95 to get your shipment "approved" and to make that payment, you must provide your credit card details.

So in addition to paying French postage to the US (which is expensive; typically around 40 euros, or nearly $50) we have to fork over $9.95 to a company to "approve" our shipment - a company we know nothing about, who now has our personal information and financial details. Presumably, after paying the fee, the company contacts the requestor within hours with some sort of "approval" to mail the shipment. So is this company part of Homeland Security? Are they a government agency? Where are the fees for all those shipments channeled? Why do inviduals sending single packages have to get involved with regulations that were clearly designed for bulk exports of foodstuffs?

Let's see, since September 11, 2001, our airlines have been constantly fighting to stave off bankruptcy and air travel has become an enormous hassle with endless security checks. Our own government presented false evidence and lied, thrusting us into an ill-conceived and poorly-planned war in which thousands of young soldiers have died or been seriously wounded and billions of dollars of taxpayer money have been wasted. Those soldiers lucky enough to return home find substandard medical care, minimal housing benefits and few jobs. And don't get me started on the damage to Iraq and the entire Middle East caused by the war.

As Americans our civil liberties are repeatedly violated: our phones are tapped and our emails intercepted - even though it's illegal to do so! Our own government ignores the law when it suits, to the point the Supreme Court had to get involved (i.e. declaring military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay illegal). And of course lawsuits are ongoing against the government's surveillance of ordinary Americans.

Any international entrepreneur or company who wants to do business in the US is forced to jump through a maze of bureaucratic and security hoops - which are enough to discourage anyone from making the effort. Many companies are concluding reluctantly that it's easier to do business with Europe or Asia or South America.

Our international reputation is in tatters, as our longtime friends and allies shake their heads and wonder what's happened to America, the once-bright and shining beacon of liberty and freedom. Meanwhile Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaida cronies walk continue their work virtually unimpeded. So I ask you, who's winning this so-called "war on terror?" And what does chocolate have to do with it?

Comments

[Neil B.]

Hello, I work for FDA Registrar Corp., mentioned in this thread. We are a private company providing compliance assistance. We do charge a fee for facilitating this assistance, which is much easier through us than trying to apply direct to the US FDA government agency (www.fda.gov.) I hope this helps, but I'm sorry I didn't catch this thread sooner.

I am sorry you folks have so much trouble with simple things like sending chocolate to the US. That is what FDa requires, and we can only try to make it easier for you.

[edj]

Want to know something else stupid? (sure you do) As of this year you can't send M-bags (i.e. books media rate) to Mauritania in West Africa, but you can still send them to Senegal, right next door.
So my English university students, who are the sort of people that the Americans SHOULD want to influence positively, remain in the dark because I can't afford to pay airmail for books.
I hope the Dems remember to repeal some of this ridiculousness. Who's my congressperson again? Sigh...

[Catalina]

oh! oh! my friends in north america will be sad if I don't send them french chocolate or "paté de canard"....always wonderful posts Tara! Besitos, practica tu espagnol...;)

[Lori Witzel]

Thanks for posting the new info you found -- am glad that there is no fee mandated! (Chocolate wants to be free!)

:-)

FYI, although I did poke around via Google, I found no info tying the FDA Registrar Corp. to anything resembling one flavor or another of American politics.

Seems they're just your average, run-of-the-mill "take your data and run, give-direct-marketers-a-bad-name" ickiness. But if you find otherwise, do tell.

[Lori Witzel]

Well. Chocolate is even more dangerous than we suspected. Who knew?

But there's even more to enjoy about this story.

David Lennarz is listed in WhoIs at the contact for FDA Registrar. In news releases from other sites, he's listed as a VP with FDA Registrar Corp., and gives presentations at food trade fairs about how to get in compliance through his firm.

FDA Registrar Corp. is affiliated with a firm called Hampton Roads Technology Incubator. David Lennarz is the CEO of another firm associated with the Hampton Roads Technology Incubator -- ContactDirect (www.contactdirect.com), specializing in renting direct marketing databases of just those industries which the FDA Registrar site captures info about.

One wonders what information FDA Registrar Corp. may share. Since there is no Privacy Policy on their site -- something that makes me wonder if they're exempt from US "CANSPAM" regulation -- it's conceivable that info may find its way into ContactDirect's database business, and perhaps others.

Makes one wonder what else is going on there.

Tara responds:
Lori, thank you so much for this important additional information. I think more investigation is needed about where this money is going, how the company was awarded the contract, etc. etc. Needless to say, it's looking suspiciously like friends of the administration are lining their pockets, while the average joe is trapped in the middle. I will not be sending any foodstuffs overseas, as long as these ridiculous "regulations" remain in place. It all smacks of corruption.

[Kisane]

What? I've got to go through all that just to send my sister some Singapore food she misses? How on earth is protecting America from chocolate going to keep the terrorists at bay? I don't live in the US nor am I an American but my sister does, and is. And I feel so upset for her.

[Linda]

Hard to believe. What in the world led them to this? Just makes you shake your head in disbelief.

[[a}]

no CHOCOLATE?! i'm just thinking of all the family "back home" (for all the americans) who are being cheated out of such glorious gifts.

[liana]

I was going BACK to Paris last month and was denied entry in the plane with all my wonderfull Asian fusion food sauces (all les than 100ml!!) and beautiful tropical fruits confitures... Résultat: mes copines n'ont pas eu leurs cadeaux... And I almost got arrested for being very Parisian (and bitchin all the way to the gate...). We live in troubled times! But hey, I got back home to Laos with all the smelly cheese I could purchase, no problem ! :)

[tut-tut]

I wonder if Halliburton is getting a piece of this fishy FDA pie, somehow, somwhere along the line.

[The Bold Soul]

Following a trail of links starting with the one you provided, Tara, I found some additional information on this issue and thought I'd share:
1) The official FDA website had the most information; the US Customs site seems to be outdated.
2) This is part of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. It requires businesses that import food to the US to register and provide Prior Notice of shipments of food to the FDA, in theory to counteract terrorism threats to America's food supplies.
3) On this page (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pn/cpgpn6.html) on the FDA website, states that you can still bring the usual food products into the U.S. in your luggage if it is for your OWN PERSONAL USE (don't say it's a gift). Oddly enough, you could also MAIL food without Prior Notice if it was made in your own residence and sent as a personal gift (not a business gift).
4) On that same webpage they cite what happens if there's a violation. So if, for example, you shipped a gift of food to someone in the States, and they got wind of it (and they might not), they might allow the package to go through but send you an educational flyer letting you know the rules for the future. They might also refuse to let the package through and could send it back to you marked "No Prior Notice - FDA Refused" (if there is a return address).
5) Further, it also sounds as if the FDA recommends agents use discretion for minor violations such as for travelers shipping food products to their own U.S. address when the traveler ships it rather than the commercial establishment: "Thus, the food for non-commercial purposes may arrive by international mail or any other mode of transportation, but must be shipped by one individual to another individual (self, family member, or friend) to be considered for non-commercial purposes."

My non-legal interpretation of this is, you can ship foods without this Prior Notice if you want to take a chance and not declare to the French post office or U.S. Customs that there is food in the package. It might get through; it might not. It's still frustratingly ridiculous.

[meredith]

I can't believe it. It just keeps getting more ridiculous.

[Catherine]

I'm astonished! I took part in the mug swap at "Create a Connection" and when I sent my mug off, I put in some homemade fudge. It cost plenty to post it, there's no way I would have paid extra for the paperwork you described. $9.95 US is a big deal here - it's about $15 local money - more than the entire value of the package, and with postage that would make the total cost 3 - 4 times the value of the package.
Of course it's the Americans who will miss out.

[Frida]

When I grow up I want to be able to write about the issues I care about with the incisiveness and style that you have. I'm practicing, so that should help, right?
How do they get away with this stuff, like setting up for profit companies that provide all the catering to their war machine?

[berrie]

when are the American people going to finally say ENOUGH? Bush should be impeached...we were all up and arms ready to do just that to Clinton for taking a bj & cigar break under his desk... now chocolate? what a dumb ass bush is, a flippen embarrassment that this freak and his follower freaks are making an ass out of my country sickens me to know end! sorry Tara, I'm on my second glass of vino and this post just plain pisses me off! XOXOXOXOXO

[AscenderRisesAbove]

unbelievable! that is the first I heard of this

[Becca]

If only chocolate were the worst of our enemies from abroad! I had no idea this nonsense was going on...and how ridiculous it is. And you are so right...what is happening to our country? Here in Michigan, with huge corporations closing right and left, the automobile companies sinking fast, people desperately trying to sell homes (by auction, no less) it's becoming very frightening. I'm not sure we're going to survive until 2008.

[Deb Lewis]

Just unbelieveable... yet totally believeable given the Bush administration's proclivity to want to grandstand on issues of "national security" - yeah - that chocolate sure looks dangerous to me!

[pam aries]

Oooohhh. Contraband..French espionage...chocolat...I smell an intriguing novel!.... I also smell a rat! A big RAT...A big fat HAIRY George Bush Rat! Sacre Bleu! This is going to cause an international incident! I PROTEST! heheh...I better hurry up and get to Paris before this administration forbids Americans passage to France!

[Waspgoddess]

This is just plain stupid, especially considering America isn't exactly known for good quality chocolate and could definitely do with some top European stuff.

[miss*R]

well, there goes alot of swaps ! and the money is probaby channelled into George dubbya's pocket. HE is an idiot - I know nothing about the US politics but the country's leader is an absolute idiot - no-one should ever feel that they have to apologize for him or because of him - he needs to do that himself...

[eb]

boy today is your lucky day - I'm here to tell you that you won a prize at my place as well - and... odd - you are also my second - also winning in green hmmmmmmmmmmmm... a plot perhaps?

come on over

xox - eb.

[Dargie]

That company wouldn't be a subsidiary of Haliburton, would it?

Really, it's unbelievable the contempt this administration has shown for the American people. Chocolate is the enemy, but the Republican lapdogs in Congress are still voting to send Americans into war, untrained and unequipped.

I weep for my country.

[Donna]

If nothing else was, THIS is an impeachable offense. Thank you for bringing this to our attention here in the States. Makes you wonder how many other things we don't know.

[Willow Grace]

The sad thing is, I'm not surprised. Disappointed, not surprised. It's classic Bush administration. They continues to create these stupid diversions in the name of security yet the real problems continue on endlessly.

[mymelange]

Oh yes..that poison chocolate! Maybe they are afraid someone will hide the chocolate in their shoe at the airport......or maybe the chocolate makers have been listening to our private phone conversations and then passing along secrets inside the golden foil wrappers of the chocolate bars...next they'll be locking up Willi Wonka!

[Lynda]

Oh, dear ... chocolate??? How does chocolate affect national security? *shakes head*

[tinker]

Who needs terrorists to infringe on our freedom and quality of life, when we have our government doing it for them. The terrorists must be so pleased that their plan is working, the U.S. is apparently running scared for their lives - from chocolate bars! Didn't we give those out during WWII? I wish those in charge would remember those wise words from another administration long ago, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."

Oh my! I just realized something...this doesn't apply in reverse, does it?! Aack! I knew I should have gotten to the post office more quickly!

[Delia]

The people have spoken--DON'T mess with our chocolate...
Love,
D.

[Colette]

Lightbulb moment**Forcefeed chocolate to the paranoiacs making these nonsensical rules; their endorphins will sing, it'll make them feel good, and then they'll abolish all these silly rules. As if.

The Creemore hot chocolate guy told me he couldn't fill orders from across the border because you have to have an agent in the U.S. who will bring it in for you. He said there's no way he can do that right now because it is "very expensive."

So I'm wondering, where is all this extra money going?? As if we didn't know.

[The Bold Soul]

Wow, unbelievable. Guess I'll just have to bring the chocolates home in my luggage.

[holli]

That's it - I'm DONE!

Seriously - these little rules that are slowly creeping in on my privacy are fweaking me out. What about the gigantic cargo ships from other countries that come in unchecked daily? What about those?

I guess I won't be getting any pink chocolate??

I would say I don't tell the truth when I fill out the form about foodstuff at the post office, but I don't want to get in trouble!

[Judy (and Finn & Sacha the "kats")]

What insanity is this???!
Well, there goes all those Dutch treats (plus the French chocs)I used to send to my friends in the US, since I suppose the same restrictions apply for things sent from the Netherlands.
How *#!!@# stupid. I think I'll just quit saying I'm an American because it's getting beyond embarassing.

Kermie says "hi" Tara. ;-)

[AnnieElf]

This has all gone beyond aggravation. Voting may be two years off but I'm going to carefully listen to everyone running. Bush et al have slid right off my respect chart. It's all about the office now. Must get someone in there who can respect it AND us AND the world. Damn it, I was so looking forward to that truffle!!

[tongue in cheek]

Incredible! I am beyond being shocked by the sideline hoopla.
The real problems go overlooked and the nonsense hyped!
You tell them Tara, my voice is cheering you on.
Really chocolates! French Fries, American cup, what's next? French kissing?

[Kristen R]

I cannot belive this completely and utterly ridiculous...I do belive the entire Bush Administration has completely lost their minds (as if I was not convinced of this before I am only more so now).

If only it were voting day!!!!!

XOXO
Kristen

[Nina]

I simply lurve Fauchon! Not as much as I love the Hediard though!

The French, they know how to make everything look more irresistable and alluring...

Hmmm.

Chocolate dangerous? Nah. This is just scare mongering and propoganda BS, at its best.

Nina xxx
p.s I am feeling chirpy and happy because of the sun which has made a come back to Amsterdam today! Yippee!

[Mary Timme]

You are my second winner (that means you won the green bracelet) and I hope to hear from you soon so I can send the One World One Heart bracelet to you.