<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

hello list friends, 
I have not read anything in this list about  Canada buying .. this was sent to me through 'Made By Mona.com' in Canada. Although I understand the decision and  the caution behind the reason, I am still a very sad Celiac.  I have come to enjoy Mona's product and talked about it at every chance, to anyone who would listen ..  yummy tortilla's, hamburger / hotdog buns that never fell apart or crumbled, a pie shell that is better than wheat memories.  I am sad, and hope this new regulation changes soon.  
Thought I would share it with you all .. in case you had not heard.
:-(

Kt

Sent: Dec 4, 2003 4:44 PM 
To: Mona's Gluten Free 
Subject: Important Message Mona's Gluten Free 



**IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MONA'S GLUTEN FREE**

Dear Friends and Customers,

  It seems that my Great Little Gluten Free Company has been faced with an insurmountable challenge and as of December 04, 2003 we will not be accepting new orders to be shipped outside of Canada.  All US orders received by Made By Mona Enterprises on or before Dec/03/03 will be filled and shipped on or before Dec/05/03.

  On December 02, 2003 we received an URGENT notification from Canada Post regarding new FDA Regulations for all Food Goods imported into the USA which will take effect on December 12, 2003.  These changes are a part of the Bioterrorism Act and have been put in place to protect the citizens of the USA.  For full information on these new regulations and this act, please see: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/imports.html


  These new regulations will be able to be met by larger companies, located outside of the US, who already have distribution/agents in place but for a company as small as Mona's... this is not the case.  Registration with the FDA is Free of charge, but to meet the requirements necessary for registration, Made By Mona Enterprises would first have to take on a US Agent/distributor to enable our goods to cross the US Border.  The fees associated with taking this action would mean that our product prices would have to be substantially increased, fees would also be added per piece for obtaining acceptance documentation from the FDA. 

  Canada Post has also informed us that we will no longer be able to use our current level of service 'Commercial Expedited USA'.  We would have to increase our shipping standards to Expresspost USA, these rates are approximately 30% higher.  The associated costs incurred in shipping would also have to be passed along to our customers.  The results of these increases would make it impossible to offer our products to those outside of Canada at a fair and reasonable rate.  


It has been made very clear to me that attempting to ship product into the US without meeting the requirements of the FDA would result in all goods being returned to us.  It is common for shipments to remain in the main postal depot in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada for several days prior to crossing the border into the US. We will ship current orders on Dec/05/03 to ensure they will be accepted by US Customs and safely pass into the US prior to the Dec/12/03 implementation date of the new FDA Regulations.


  To further complicate the situation...

 I was informed on Dec/03/2003 by our insurance company that due to recent changes in policies, they cannot offer coverage to Made By Mona Enterprises.  Our insurance agent assured me that he had shopped around for a carrier to renew our existing policy but to no avail.  It was explained to me that regardless of the type of goods sold, a small, home based business which ships outside of the country is now considered 'High Risk'.   It was further explained that there probably is a carrier 'out there somewhere' who would insure me... whether any reasonable person would pay the requested premiums, would be another matter. 

  I will continue to process Canadian orders and assure you that I will do my best to find a solution to enable Mona's to resume business with our many wonderful US customers.  

*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*