The registration has been made compulsory for all food exporters to the US under 'Bio-Terrorism Act-2002'.

The speakers said Bangladeshi companies interested to export food products to the US must comply with the rules.

They were speaking at a seminar on 'Bio-Terrorism Act-2002 of USA' jointly organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) at the Federation Bhaban in Dhaka.

Speaking at the seminar, Commerce Secretary Suhel Ahmed said till yesterday it was not confirmed that all food, beverage and medicine exporters have completed their registration.

However, most shrimp exporters have got themselves registered with the USFDA.

"The commerce ministry has organised several meetings and workshops to disseminate information about different provisions of the act," he said.

FBCCI President Abdul Awal Mintoo said the act is a major issue for Bangladesh as the country exports various food items particularly shrimps, fish and medicine to the US.

If people export without getting registered the US government can initiate civil or criminal procedures in federal court against them, he added.

Abdul Karim, joint secretary of the commerce ministry, made a presentation at the seminar on the US Bio-Terrorism Act, which was introduced following the September 11 incident.

Under the new law, registered food exporters will have to give prior notice to the USFDA before each shipment. The companies involved in food manufacturing, processing, packaging, transportation, distribution, and hoarding must have necessary information on the whole chain of export processes so that in case of any harmful incident the USFDA can identify the reason, he said.