FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Frozen
Siluriformes Products Imported from the People’s Republic of China
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen
Siluriformes products that were illegally imported from the People’s Republic
of China and are ineligible for entry into the United States. The products were
not certified for export to the U.S. by the government of China as being
produced under equivalent inspection, they do not identify a certified
establishment number on their packaging, and they were not presented to FSIS
for import reinspection as required. These factors make the products ineligible
to import into the U.S. and unfit for human consumption. FSIS is working with
other agencies to investigate how these products entered the country.
The following product is subject to the public health alert
[see website]:
12-oz. (340 g) plastic packages containing “FROZEN STRIPED
PANGASIUS MAWS.”
The products subject to the public health alert do not bear
any producing establishment information or import marks on the labels and are
packed in plain white shipping cartons devoid of labels or markings. These
items are believed to have been shipped to retail and wholesale locations in
New York, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
The problem was discovered during FSIS surveillance
activities conducted at a wholesaler. By law, commercial imports of meat,
poultry, and egg products must be produced in certified establishments in
eligible countries, and these products must be presented to FSIS for import
reinspection prior to entering U.S. commerce. Raw Siluriformes fish products
from specific establishments in China are eligible for importation provided the
raw materials originate from a certified establishment (Eligible Foreign
Establishments – China (usda.gov)).
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions
due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should
contact a health care provider.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers’ and
consumers’ freezers or refrigerators. Retailers who have purchased the products
are urged not to sell them. Consumers who purchased the products should not consume
them and need to dispose of them properly. Consumers are asked to dispose of
the products by double bagging them to reduce the possibility of animals
accessing the products.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the public
health alert can contact Susie Yang, Accountant, Fuxin USA Inc at 347-881-9899
or fuxinusa@gmail.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a
question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a
problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer
Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at
https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
For additional information including lot codes and product
photos: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ineligible-frozen-siluriformes-products-imported
NJDOH is not requesting any immediate action for this
recall.
This information has been broadcast to: Local Boards of Health; LBH; REHS-LHDs; SCHOA (incl. backups); Health Department;