Suppliers of Food Products

As a supplier to H-E-B, all vendors are expected to agree to comply with all regulatory requirements identified in:

• The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• All applicable USDA guidelines
• USDA Country of Origin Labeling requirements
• All additional federal, state and local requirements as applicable

Per the FSMA, all suppliers must continuously ensure that they are complying with the following:

• Standards for Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (Produce Safety Rule)
• Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (SFTA)
• Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals (FSVP)
• Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human and Animal Food (Preventive Controls Rule)
• Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration

More information regarding rules and requirements related to FSMA can be found here: FDA Guidance & Regulation

FSVP Responsibilities

All importers, distributors, brokers, and suppliers providing foreign product will be reviewed for potential designation as the Importer of Record (IOR) as defined in the FSVP.

When it is determined that an importer, distributor, broker or supplier is in the best position to be the IOR for FSVP, the importer, distributor, broker or supplier will be expected to comply with all requirements to include program development and implementation as well as the entry of the IOR’s DUNS number in the proper systems and line entries.

When it is determined that H-E-B is in the best position to be the IOR for FSVP, all suppliers will be vetted against the requirements outlined in H-E-B’s FSV program.

Additional requirements to include agreements in writing may be required. If changes occur, all importers, distributors, brokers and suppliers will be expected to contact H-E-B immediately.

Supplier of General Merchandise/Non-Food Products

As a supplier to H-E-B, all vendors are expected to agree to comply with all regulatory requirements identified in:

• The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
• The Federal Trade Commission Act
• The Environmental Protection Act
• All additional federal, state and local requirements as applicable

As part of our commitment to delivering safe and quality products, all of H-E-B’s direct import international suppliers of consumer products and all other non-food items must meet with supply chain security and social compliance, factory capability or quality audits, and product safety compliance. Specific information about H-E-B’s policies and procedures regarding these requirements can be found in the H-E-B International Logistics Vendor Compliance Manual.

Qualified suppliers will be required to comply with the following H-E-B Standards for their category and/product type:

• Supplier Requirements for Consumer Products, Children's Products/Toys, Commodity-type items, Eyewear
• Supplier Requirements for Over-the-Counter Drugs
• Supplier Requirements for Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
• Supplier Requirements Supplier Requirements for Cosmetics and Personal Care
• Supplier Requirements for Medical Devices

Suppliers of Own Brand Products

All current and potential suppliers of products sold to H-E-B and ingredients and raw materials used by H-E-B must meet and maintain the minimum requirements set forth in the standards outlined above for food or general merchandise/non-food products. Food suppliers must also comply with H-E-B Food Safety and Quality Standard requirements.

In addition, qualified suppliers producing product for H-E-B branded items, known as Own Brand suppliers, must maintain their facility records and product specifications in the Own Brand Product System (OBPS), and all data must be truthful and accurate. Suppliers must further acknowledge that prior notification to and approval from H-E-B are required before making any changes to the product, package, label, raw materials, specifications, facility or work processes. Suppliers shall notify H-E-B of any changes to the information provided herein, and such changes are to be managed in collaboration with H-E-B in OBPS.

Additional requirements may be required of a supplier based on industry specific regulations, potential market areas for product sale and shipping via e-commerce. Amendments to supplier requirements will be made at the discretion of H-E-B.