Import Alert 99-19

Background
While many Import Alerts relate to Salmonella contamination in specific food types (like seafood or shrimp), this Import Alert is a catch-all for all food products found to contain Salmonella. FDA has determined that many different foods, such as raisins, chocolate, fresh produce contain Salmonella. FDA created this Import Alert to provide guidance to districts, telling them they may automatically detain specific products exported or manufactured by those firms on the Red List.

How do Firms get on this Import Alert?
FDA adds companies to this Import Alert if any of their food products have been tested and were discovered to be contaminated with Salmonella. FDA is particularly concerned with Ready To Consume (RTC) foods – those that require no further processing before they are customarily consumed. Therefore, fresh produce, finished chocolate or other candies, breads and cereals, and raisins or dried goji berries are good candidates for this Import Alert if FDA finds they are contaminated.

Effects on Businesses Involved
A firm will find this detention costly since it affects the life, value and quality of the food item. Some foods on this alert are perishable or have only a moderate shelf life. The delays in the supply chain and logistics due to the import alert will cause some of the automatically detained food to become significantly reduced in value. FDA has zero tolerance for Salmonella in most cases. So contaminated foods will be refused, and exported or destroyed.

How do Companies get off this Import Alert?
Companies can petition FDA to be removed from this Import Alert. You must show there is no longer an a basis to believe future shipments will be contaminated with Salmonella. However, this will require more than just multiple clean entries and an Import Alert Petition. A firm should consider receiving an Import Alert Petition Viability Review to determine the best arguments and facts for obtaining removal from this import Alert.