Do you provide your customers with your FDA Registration number?

I've been in food for a while, and none of the previous entities I've worked at had an issue providing customers their FDA registration #. The corporation I currently work for has 2 strong supporters of "don't ever give that out, it's like a SS#," both saying they learned in various training classes that it was a very bad idea to give out the FDA reg #. 80% of the questionnaires that pass my desk request an FDA reg #, which I have no problem instructing to be filled in as 'proprietary.' Do you folks provide them to customers, or lock them up?

Like SS numbers, I give out the last 4 digits.

If you have an NDA with me, yes.  To any other customer, no.

We provide the last 4 only.

Marshall

No.  We provide a letter stating we are an FDA registered facility and maintain the registration.

From what I was told someone can use your FDA registration number fraudulently to import / export goods, and also to manufacture and/or handle food on "your behalf."

No.  We provide a letter stating we are an FDA registered facility and maintain the registration.

 

From what I was told someone can use your FDA registration number fraudulently to import / export goods, and also to manufacture and/or handle food on "your behalf."

I've heard this too, but I was told by someone who I consider a credible source that it's just a myth. I've never seen a definitive answer in writing by the FDA. 

I was advised by  our NSF cGMP Auditor to never give out the actual number so I have always told our Sales Manager no when she asked for it to give to a perspective customer.  Once they are established customers I go on a more case by case basis.

I was looking forward to your response.  Thank you.

Have always given it out ans without issue.

So we're about where we were 4 or so years ago when this topic was last brought up. I will continue to not supply it (I have a blacked out application document like was suggested in the 4 year old thread) but I don't think some evil entity could use a FDA reg and bring down civilization as we know it. I was hoping to get some type of concrete reason why and I was bored on a Friday before the 3 day weekend.

I have always used this from the Bioterrorism Act rule to explain why we do not give out the number:

"FDA's list of registered facilities and registration documents submitted to FDA are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. In addition, any information derived from the agency's list or registration documents that would disclose the identity or location of a specific registered person is not subject to disclosure." 

When Exporting to the US often the importer needs the registration # so I do give the # itself but never show the copy of the registration since the PIN is and needs to be extremely confidential. 

Eli

We've always given out the last 4 and no one has ever had an issue.

If they require further info, I scan the registration page with the beginning of the number blacked out, so that we can use that as further confirmation.

We have a statement that that we put our FDA# as such XXXXXXX0011.