Background

Food and Drug Administration import alerts affecting the following have been newly issued or modified in the past week.

- assorted cakes from the Philippines
- avocado from Chile

- cassava from Costa Rica

- chili sauce from Kenya

- chives from Mexico

- cilantro from Mexico

- dietary supplements from Belgium

- electronic products that fail to comply with performance standards or to have required certification

- foods containing undeclared major food allergens or that fail to properly label such allergens

- frozen avocado pulp from Mexico

- fruit drink from Pakistan

- guacamole from Mexico

- human and animal drugs from China and Finland

- red leaf lettuce from Mexico

- red plum jam from Kenya

- sesame seeds from India

- shrimp and prawns from India

- squash from Mexico

- tuna from Indonesia

Import alerts inform FDA field staff that the agency has enough evidence or other information to allow a product that appears to be in violation of FDA laws and regulations to be detained without physical examination at the time of entry. Import alerts may cover products from designated countries or areas (including from all foreign countries), manufacturers, or shippers.

Firms and/or products on the “red list” of an import alert are subject to DWPE, while firms and/or products on the “green list” are not because they have met the criteria for exclusion. Some import alerts include a “yellow list” of firms, products, and/or countries subject to intensified surveillance because the nature of the violations may warrant further field examinations of individual entries and/or additional analyses. In addition, depending on the specific import alert, shipments of products subject to DWPE may still be imported into the U.S. if the importer has demonstrated that the shipment is in compliance.

If a product is detained without physical examination the importer has the right to provide evidence to the FDA in an attempt to overcome the appearance of the violation. If no such evidence is submitted, or if the evidence provided is insufficient, the product will be subject to refusal of entry into the U.S.

For more information on this and other FDA issues, please contact FDA consultant Domenic Veneziano at (202) 734-3939 or via email.

Copyright © 2024 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.

ST&R: International Trade Law & Policy

Since 1977, we have set the standard for international trade lawyers and consultants, providing comprehensive and effective customs, import and export services to clients worldwide.

View Our Services 

Close

Cookie Consent

We have updated our Privacy Policy relating to our use of cookies on our website and the sharing of information. By continuing to use our website or subscribe to our publications, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.