Import Alert 16-105

"Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood and Seafood Products from Specific Manufacturers/Shippers Due to Decomposition and/or Histamines"

DIOP has received recommendations from districts for detention without physical examination of seafood and seafood products from specific manufacturers/shippers due to decomposition. This import alert has been developed for manufacturers and shippers of decomposed seafood products and products that contain histamines that meet the criteria for detention without physical examination and cannot readily be included in previously existing alerts.

Since early May 1992, the Agency has noted several separate outbreaks of scrombroid poisoning attributed to fresh or frozen tuna. The most recent outbreak occurred in Florida and was traced to frozen tuna packed by a firm in Taiwan.

Districts may detain, without physical examination, shipments of the specified products from the firms identified on the Red List to this alert.

When districts encounter multiple violative shipments of seafood products for decomposition, detected organoleptically or as indole or histamines from the same manufacturer or shipper, a recommendation for detention, without physical examination, should be forwarded to DIOP. DIOP, in turn, will coordinate with CFSAN.

Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) 540.575 contains guidance for evaluating decomposition in fish. Refer to Compliance Program CP 7303.844 - Import Seafood Products for sample collection guidance and instructions on methodology for histamine or indole analysis.

For questions or issues concerning science, science policy, sample collection, analysis, preparation, or analytical methodology, contact the Division of Field Science at (301) 796-6600.

All requests for removal from detention without physical examination should be address to DIOP 301-796-0356.

Seafood and seafood products, except:

-Mahimahi covered under Import Alert #16-05;
-Shrimp covered under Import Alerts #16-18 and 16-35.
-Canned shrimp from Thailand covered under Import Alert #16-22;
-Canned tuna covered under Import Alert #16-95

For decomposition:

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to consist in whole or in part of a decomposed substance, or to be otherwise unfit for food. [Adulteration, Section 402(a)(3)]"

OASIS charge code - FILTHY

For histamine:

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to bear or contain histamine, a poisonous and deleterious substance in such quantity as ordinarily renders it injurious to health. [Adulteration, Section 402(a)(1)]"

OASIS charge code - POISONOUS