FDA Certificates Don't Exist: The Truth Every Nigerian Exporter to the U.S. Must Know

HENDERSON, Nev. - April 14, 2025 - PRLog -- A growing number of Nigerian exporters are being misled by claims of "FDA certificates" being necessary for exporting food and cosmetic products to the United States. But here's the truth: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not issue official certificates approving companies for import or export.

If someone claims they have an "FDA certificate," it's most likely a registration document or a marketing tool—not official FDA approval.

What's required, however, is compliance. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), all companies—including international businesses—handling food for U.S. consumption must register their facilities with the FDA. Additionally, foreign facilities are required to appoint a U.S.-based agent to communicate directly with the FDA on their behalf.

In the cosmetics category, FDA registration is currently voluntary—unless the product makes therapeutic claims, in which case it's treated as an over-the-counter drug and subject to stricter regulatory requirements.

To address this confusion and promote proper regulatory understanding, Mbariket, a U.S.-based advisory platform, provides expert guidance to Nigerian exporters on FDA registration and compliance. Their goal is to ensure exporters meet all legal requirements and avoid costly mistakes when entering the U.S. market.

"FDA certificates don't exist—compliance does," says Rich Mbariket, founder of the platform. "We're here to help Nigerian exporters understand what's actually required and how to get it done right."

For advisory services or more information, visit: https://mbariket.com