New Import Alert Allows FDA to Take Broader Approach on Filth Issues for Imports, Agency Says
A new import alert recently issued by FDA on imported foods contaminated by filth “provides the agency with a pathway for regulatory action on entries that are violative for filth and not subject to any of the more specific filth related” import alerts, an FDA spokesperson said by email March 8. “Previous alerts were for very specific products and/or countries. In addition to refusing individual shipments, the agency can now apply Detention Without Physical Examination to a broad range of filth related issues,” the spokesperson said.
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The import alert, issued March 4 (see 2203070028), came “based on a recommendation from FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition,” the spokesperson said. It was not prompted by an increase in the prevalence of contaminated foods, she said. The agency continues to generally surveil imported shipments for various contaminants. There are no current indicators of increased filth contamination in imported products.